Alisha Klinger, 45, of Jamestown, has pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 17 years in prison and a maximum of life.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, said Klinger conspired with co-defendant Jacob Snow and others to sell heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine in the Jamestown area. Conspiracy members utilized acts of violence to collect alleged drug debts. On December 24, 2020, Klinger and an individual identified as D.R. went to the residence of Holly Berenguer, an associate of Klinger to collect on an alleged debt. D.R. struck Berenguer in the face with a handgun, causing a facial fracture, orbital fracture, and multiple contusions. The handgun discharged, but the bullet did not strike Berenguer. On January 2, 2021, a vehicle Klinger and Snow were riding in was pulled over by Jamestown police officers. A search of the vehicle recovered $8,648, a blue crystal-like substance, and cell phones. A search of Klinger recovered 41 grams of fentanyl. On May 24, 2021, Klinger participated in the robbery of Victim 1. Klinger and D.R. took a person from a residence at gunpoint and drove to a wooded area in Jamestown, where they were joined by co-defendant Snow. The person was assaulted in retaliation for stealing $10,000 of heroin/fentanyl and methamphetamine from Snow. The unnamed victim was made to take off her clothes and walk back to town.

On June 24, 2021, a search warrant was executed at Klinger’s residence, during which methamphetamine, fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, and $29,316 in cash was recovered. On November 19, 2021, Klinger and two others, brandishing weapons, robbed a second person who owed Klinger money for drugs. The second unnamed person was hit in the face with a gun and zip tied.

Jacob Snow was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.

The case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal bureau of Investigation.

This indictment is a result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of 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 February 26, 2026, before Judge Vilardo.

Berenguer was sentenced earlier this year to time served and four years’ supervised release by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who handled the case, stated on Sept. 5, 2021, a Jamestown Police Officer arrested Berenguer on an active bench warrant for failure to appear in Jamestown City Court. While she was being processed, police personnel discovered a white powdery substance and $450 hidden in Berenguer’s clothes. The substances field tested positive for heroin and methamphetamine. As part of the conspiracy, between September 2020, and September 2021, Berenguer distributed large amounts of heroin and fentanyl in the Jamestown area.