BUFFALO – Dwayne Lowery aka Chi Chi, 31, of Jamestown pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and kidnapping, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $5,000,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Donna M. Duncan, Joshua A. Violanti, and Louis A. Testani, who are handling the case, stated that on December 7, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Lowery’s West Cowden Place residence, seizing 59 grams of fentanyl, $1,140 in cash, and drug paraphernalia. Prior to the search warrant, investigators conducted two controlled purchases of fentanyl from Lowery at his residence.

In mid-October 2023, Lowery invited a woman to a North Union Street residence in Olean. For the next 22 days, the woman was held by Lowery at various locations, including residences associated with Lowery in Buffalo and Olean, and a Buffalo hotel. When the Victim attempted to flee, Lowery physically prevented her from doing so. During this time, Lowery regularly provided the person with narcotics. On November 3, 2023, the woman escaped Lowery’s Buffalo residence, went to Buffalo Police headquarters, and reported that she was being held against her will.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone, and the Olean Police Department under the direction of Police Chief Ron Richardson.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.