A Jamestown resident has pleaded guilty in a narcotics case that was loosely connected to an overdose death in the city.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross has announced that Curtis Snyder, 51, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $1 million.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who are handling the case, stated that Snyder was an associate and co-conspirator of Rocco Beardsley, who sold large quantities of heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances in the Jamestown area.

On April 9, 2019, an individual was discovered deceased from an apparent overdose at a residence in Jamestown and Beardsley was believed to be involved in the overdose. About a month after the overdose death, Beardsley sent Snyder to the residence of another individual to force this individual to make a video regarding Beardsley’s lack of involvement with the overdose death. In exchange, Snyder would receive a “bundle” of heroin/fentanyl. The individual complied and made the video, stating that Beardsley was not present at the victim’s residence on the date of the overdose death.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, 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, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 9 before Judge Vilardo.