Jamestown man pleads guilty to multiple sex trafficking charges and drug conspiracy

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Zaid Mendoza a/k/a Diamond, 47, of Jamestown and Falconer, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to narcotics conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more methamphetamine, and heroin, and three counts of sex trafficking by force. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum of life.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that between 2020, and December 2022, Mendoza was a manager and supervisor of a drug trafficking organization, utilizing drug runners, drivers, and associates to sell his drugs and collect his debts. During the conspiracy, Mendoza bought and sold fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin for profit. He used his West Main Street residence to manufacture, distribute, and use the drugs. On October 6, 2022, law enforcement stopped a vehicle Mendoza was a passenger in and recovered methamphetamine from the driver and approximately 25 grams of fentanyl on Mendoza.

On December 7, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at Mendoza’s residence, recovering cash, approximately 34 grams of fentanyl, approximately 14 grams of methamphetamine, and approximately a gram of a combination of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, a semi-automatic pistol, and a large capacity magazine.

In 2000, Mendoza met Victim 1 and pursued her for sexual activity. Victim 1, who was addicted to drugs, believed that if she had sex with Mendoza, he would give her heroin/fentanyl. Consequently, Victim 1 had sex with Mendoza in exchange for drugs on three occasions.

In the Spring of 2022, Mendoza met Victim 2 at a drug house in Jamestown. She was also a heavy drug user and knew that Mendoza was a drug dealer. In June 2022, Victim 2 met Mendoza at a motel in Jamestown. Victim 2’s understanding was that she would engage in sexual activity Mendoza and that he would give her drugs. This occurred on several other occasions in July 2022.

Between October and December 2022, Mendoza conspired with co-defendants to force Victim 3 and Victim 4 to engage in a commercial sex act. Both victims struggled with drug addictions. Victim 3 and Victim 4 were provided shelter at Mendoza’s residence as well as food, clothing, and daily quantities of fentanyl in exchange for their performance of commercial sex acts for money. The proceeds went to Mendoza. The co-conspirators utilized the website “Skipthegames.com” to find customers.

Charges are pending against co-defendant Kelvin Thomas. Cora Waddington was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department Metro Drug Task Force, under the direction of Acting Chief Scott Forster, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 9, 2026, before Judge Sinatra.

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