A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Ronald D. Mitchell, 44, of Little Valley, with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $10,000,000.

According to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, in September of 2025, law enforcement began investigating the drug trafficking activities of Mitchell, who was identified as a distributor of methamphetamine and cocaine in Cattaraugus County. Just after midnight on September 17, 2025, investigators, while surveilling Mitchell in Little Valley, allegedly observed him selling drugs inside his vehicle. A Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputy subsequently conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, during which Mitchell appeared very nervous and started to sweat profusely, according to a police report. Mitchell was asked to exit the vehicle, but instead he fled the scene, leading deputies on a chase, which exceeded 90 MPH. Mitchell eventually crashed his vehicle into a tree in Ellicottville, and fled. Investigators seized 52 grams of cocaine and a large amount of cash from the vehicle. A bag containing a large quantity of suspected narcotics, believed to have been discarded by Mitchell when he fled from the crash, was discovered on Route 242. The bag contained drug paraphernalia, 196 grams of cocaine and 472 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

Mitchell was arraigned Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt I. Kass. The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, under the direction of Cattaraugus County Sheriff Eric Butler and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division.