Samuel L. Arrington III, Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl, New York 2023

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Samuel L. Arrington, III, 41, of Jamestown, is facing a lengthy prison sentence after federal agents and local law enforcement discovered a cache of drugs and weapons in his home. Arrington was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, as well as possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of five years behind bars, with a potential life sentence and a $1,000,000 fine.

The bust began on October 12, 2023, when New York State Parole Officers paid a visit to Arrington’s King Street residence. A routine “pat down” search of Arrington yielded nothing, but a subsequent search of a bedroom uncovered quantities of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, along with a significant amount of cash. Things quickly escalated when the Chautauqua County Narcotics Unit, Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force, and additional probation officers executed a search warrant.

The warrant search turned up even more illicit goods: a shotgun and ammunition were found during the initial search, but authorities also discovered a second firearm, a .38 caliber revolver. The combined haul paints a picture of a man heavily involved in the illegal drug trade, and seemingly well-armed to protect his operation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis A. Testani is leading the prosecution, promising a vigorous pursuit of justice.

This case isn’t an isolated incident, according to authorities. It’s part of a larger Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF is a federal initiative designed to dismantle the most dangerous criminal organizations operating within the United States, using a coordinated, intelligence-driven approach involving multiple agencies.

The investigation was a collaborative effort, bringing together the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, III of the DEA’s New York Field Division, and Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito of the ATF’s New York Field Division, oversaw their respective agency’s contributions.

It’s crucial to remember that these are merely allegations at this stage. Arrington is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the evidence uncovered so far suggests a serious threat to the community, and authorities are determined to hold him accountable if the charges are substantiated. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Trini E. Ross, will continue to prosecute these cases aggressively.

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