Wellsville Man Sentenced on Drug Charges

          BUFFALO, N.Y.—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Justin J. McPherson, 28, of Wellsville, N.Y., who was convicted of conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute and distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, was sentenced to time served (24 months) in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Duszkiewicz, who handled the case, stated that during the execution of a search warrant on January 26, 2012 at a residence on South Main St. in Wellsville, law enforcement officers discovered items used to manufacture methamphetamine and a quantity of methamphetamine. A search warrant was later executed at a residence on Madison Ave. in Wellsville. During that search, officers discovered an active methamphetamine laboratory.

The defendant was arrested along with Jason Patterson, his wife April Patterson, Anthony Kidd, and John Faber. April Patterson, Kidd and Faber have been convicted and are awaiting sentencing. Charges are pending against Jason Patterson. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Today’s sentencing is the result of an investigation on the part of the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Michael Cerretto, the Wellsville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Walsh, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Jamie J. Hunt, Acting Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division.