Jamestown woman pleads guilty to drug conspiracy

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Susan Walker, 31, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a fine of $5,000,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that between 2020 and 2023, Walker conspired with others to sell narcotics for profit, utilizing social media to conduct her drug trafficking activities. Walker and co-defendant David Sekerak Ledesma also maintained two Lafayette Street residences in Jamestown for their drug trafficking activities. The investigation included a series of controlled purchases and the execution of two search warrants at Walker and Ledesma’s Lafayette Street residence, during which investigators seized cash, which represented drug proceeds, drug paraphernalia, and cellular phones.

In July 2020, Ledesma sold drugs to an individual identified as A.R., who overdosed and suffered seriously bodily injury. He was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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

Sentencing is scheduled for June 10, 2026, before Judge Sinatra.

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