Southern Tier Man Sentenced On Drug And Witness Tampering Charges

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Jonathan Fernandes, 37, of Savona, NY, who was convicted after a jury trial of manufacturing at least 50 grams of methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, maintaining a drug related premises, possession of materials used to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of a listed chemical with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and witness tampering, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer M. Noto and Frank H. Sherman, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that Fernandes manufactured methamphetamine at his residence between January 2011 and December 30, 2012. As part of the investigation, two search warrants were executed in December 2012 by the New York State Police at the residence. Methamphetamine, marijuana, as well as chemicals, products and materials used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, were seized during the searches. 

The defendant also willfully caused family members, including his sister and brother-in-law, to attempt to intimidate a witness in the case against Fernandes in order to influence and prevent the testimony of the witness. Prior to trial, the defendant’s sister, Mindy Konopski, 34, pleaded guilty to obstruction of a court order and defendant’s brother-in-law, Andrej Konopski, 28, pleaded guilty to witness tampering in connection with an attempt to influence and prevent the testimony of another witness in defendant’s case. Each was sentenced to six months in prison and six months home detention.

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Craig Hanesworth, and the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff David Cole.