Douglas Beardsley, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, New York 2023

BUFFALO, N.Y. - In a shocking turn of events, a Jamestown man is facing a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to drug and gun charges.

Douglas Beardsley, 38, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of firearms.

The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

Between September 2018 and January 2019, Beardsley bought, sold, and distributed heroin and methamphetamine for profit in the Jamestown area, utilizing several co-conspirators, associates, and runners as well as Facebook and various electronic devices to operate his drug trafficking activities.

Beardsley also distributed large amounts of methamphetamine to numerous other individuals in the Jamestown area. During the conspiracy, Beardsley utilized residences on Linden and Forest Avenue in Jamestown for his drug trafficking.

In January 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at the Forest Avenue residence, recovering two firearms, ammunition, $296.00 in cash, quantities of crystal methamphetamine, a digital scale, and other drug paraphernalia. Throughout the conspiracy, Beardsley obtained approximately $112,000 in monetary proceeds from drug trafficking.

Beardsley's prior convictions in Chautauqua County Court, including drug possession, attempted burglary, and DWI, render him legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

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

Sentencing is scheduled for May 30, 2023, before Judge Arcara.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/jamestown-man-faces-mandatory-10-years-prison-after-pleading-guilty-drug-and-gun