Fernandes Sentenced 20 Years for Methamphetamine Operation

A Southern Tier man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine, as well as witness tampering. Jonathan Fernandes, 37, of Savona, New York, was found guilty by a jury trial of the charges, which included manufacturing at least 50 grams of methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

The operation was uncovered by a joint investigation between the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York State Police, and the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department. Between January 2011 and December 30, 2012, Fernandes manufactured methamphetamine at his residence, and two search warrants were executed in December 2012 by the New York State Police. During the searches, methamphetamine, marijuana, and chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine were seized.

Fernandes willfully caused his family members, including his sister and brother-in-law, to attempt to intimidate a witness in the case against him. His sister, Mindy Konopski, 34, pleaded guilty to obstruction of a court order, and his brother-in-law, Andrej Konopski, 28, pleaded guilty to witness tampering. Both were sentenced to six months in prison and six months home detention.

U.S. District Court Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford handed down the 20-year sentence, which is the culmination of an investigation led by Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division.

Fernandes’s sentencing is a significant blow to the methamphetamine trade in the Southern Tier, and a testament to the hard work and dedication of law enforcement agencies in the region. The investigation into Fernandes’s operation highlights the dangers of methamphetamine and the devastating impact it has on families and communities.

Contact: Barbara Burns, (716) 843-5817, (716) 551-3051.

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