Jamestown Man Going To Prison For Selling Methamphetamine

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that James H. Bess, Jr., 63, Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute of five grams or more of methamphetamine, was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who handled the case, stated that on October 2, 2016, law enforcement officers conducted a controlled purchase with the defendant. During the buy, which took place inside Bess’s vehicle, the defendant sold a quantity of methamphetamine to another individual in exchange for $800 cash. Bess was arrested at that time.

During a search of the defendant’s vehicle, officers recovered three bags of methamphetamine. Officers also searched a room at the Red Roof Inn in the Town of Ellicott, which Bess had previously rented. During that search, officers recovered two additional bags of methamphetamine. 

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division and the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, under the direction of Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb.

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