BUFFALO — A Jamestown man is facing federal drug charges

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced that Willie C. Graham, 43,was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna M. Duncan, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in September 2023, Jamestown Police officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that had pulled out of a known drug house in Jamestown.

A search of the vehicle recovered what appeared to be methamphetamine, along with numerous items of drug paraphernalia. Officers also recovered a glass bubble pipe from Graham’s waist area. Graham and the other two occupants were then taken to the Jamestown City Jail, at which time Graham indicated that he was experiencing chest pains and could not breathe. Before Graham was transported for medical attention, officers discovered suspected fentanyl on his person. On March 2, Graham was a passenger in a vehicle that fled from officers attempting to initiate a traffic stop.

A search of the vehicle recovered 11.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine, other drug paraphernalia, and $1,134 cash. Graham and the other two occupants were taken to the Jamestown City Jail, where Graham informed officers that he had eaten “dope” prior to being arrested and was overdosing. He was given one dose of NARCAN and transported for medical attention.

Graham made an initial appearance before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained pending a detention hearing today.

The complaint is a result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.