Seven Defenants Arrested, Charged With Narcotics Conspiracy Operating In The Jamestown, NY Area

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a 34-count superseding indictment charging seven defendants for their roles in a narcotics conspiracy. Defendants Rocco A. Beardsley, Tyler N. Tedesco, Miller Hagga, a/k/a Kido, Kylie M. Reeves, Garland Beardsley, a/k/a Charlie Beardsley, and Austin Gordon, are charged with narcotics conspiracy. Rocco Beardsley is also charged with engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. All six defendants faces up to life in prison if convicted.   

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Misha Coulson, who are handling the case, stated that according to the superseding indictment, between December 2018 and October 27, 2020, the defendants participated in a drug trafficking ring led by defendant Rocco Beardsley. The ring sold methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, and hydrocodone in the Jamestown area. The defendants are accused of selling the illegal substances to, among others, a person under 21 years old and a pregnant woman. The conspiracy utilized residences at 12 Bishop Street, 631 Newland, 711 Newland, 158 Sampson Street, and 20 W. Cowden Place, all in Jamestown, to manufacture and distribute drugs.

In addition, a seventh defendant, Giselle Bennett is charged with obstruction of justice. The indictment states that in October 2019, in testimony before the grand jury, Bennett concealed information regarding the drug use of an individual identified as J.A., the circumstances of J.A. and defendant Bennett’s acquisition of narcotics, and the circumstances surrounding a visit by defendant Rocco Beardsley to J.A.’s residence shared with defendant Bennett. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

The defendants were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer. Defendants Rocco Beardsley, Tedesco, Hagga, Reeves, Gordon, and Bennett were detained. Defendant Garland Beardsley was released on conditions.

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

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.