The U.S. Attorney’s Office on Wednesday announced that 43-year-old Jarrod Adams of Erie, Pa., and 31-year-old Michael Murphy of Jamestown were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara for their alleged roles in a Jamestown area drug ring.

Adams, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more methamphetamine, was sentenced to serve nine years in prison. Murphy, who was convicted of narcotics conspiracy, was sentenced to serve 16 years in prison.

Between June 2019 and October 2020, Murphy allegedly bought, sold and distributed quantities of methamphetamine for profit, utilizing Facebook to conduct his drug trafficking operation.

On July 16, 2019, the U.S. Marshal’s Service and other law enforcement officers went to a Bishop Street residence in Jamestown to apprehend Murphy, a federal fugitive at the time. Murphy was taken into custody along with Adams, identified as a co-conspirator.

A search warrant was executed at the residence, during which investigators seized a quantity of methamphetamine $1,476 in cash and drug paraphernalia.

During the conspiracy Murphy, who received his supply from Adams and Rocco Beardsley, also supplied large quantities of methamphetamine to other co-conspirators. On Nov. 29, 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at Murphy’s Newland Avenue residence and recovered methamphetamine, illicit mushrooms, other drug paraphernalia, two firearms, ammunition and $1,642 in cash.

Beardsley is scheduled to go to trial in March 2024.