Jamestown Man Pleads Guilty To Possessing Firearms While Selling Drugs

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

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Omar Vera-Velazquez, 23, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $250,000 fine.
 
Assistant U.S. Attorney Misha A. Coulson, who is handling the case, stated that in September 2019, the defendant sold and distributed heroin in the Jamestown area. During this time period, Vera-Velazquez possessed various firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking in order to protect himself, his drugs, and his drug proceeds.
 
On September 19, 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Bowen Street residence. Law enforcement officers seized four firearms; ammunition; two pistol magazines; approximately 60 grams of a heroin and fentanyl substance; two scales; several empty plastic baggies; and packaging materials.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, and the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief Timothy Jackson.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 21, 2021, before Judge Vilardo.
 
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