Jamestown Man Pleads Guilty To Selling Fentanyl That Led To A Death

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

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Garson E. Butcher, 30, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to with distribution of fentanyl causing death, narcotics conspiracy, and using and maintaining a drug-involved premises. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between March 2020, and June 2021, Butcher and co-defendant Alisha Centi conspired with others to possess and sell heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. On March 29, 2020, Butcher and Centi sold fentanyl which resulted in the death of an individual identified as T.R. On September 28, 2020, Butcher and Centi sold heroin to an individual identified as K.K., who overdosed but regained consciousness after receiving multiple doses of Narcan. In addition, Butcher and Centi used residences on Fairview Avenue and Roland Road to manufacture and distribute heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.

Charges remain pending against Alisha Centi.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James B. Quattrone.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 14, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.

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