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Pair Facing Federal Charges After Search

Brandi Whitford and Richard E. Kinsey

Two city residents found in possession of narcotics during a search of their apartment in early September are now facing federal charges, the Jamestown Police Department said.

Richard E. Kinsey Jr., 35, and Brandi Whitford, 23, were taken into custody Wednesday after a search warrant was executed around 5:48 a.m. at the pair’s 320 Newland Ave. residence. Federal warrants for Kinsey and Whitford on charges of criminal possession of crystal methamphetamine with intent to distribute were issued by the U.S. District Court for the Western District.

Officers with the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force were assisted by agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, New York State Police and Ellicott Police Department.

SWAT members gained entry into the apartment Wednesday, and inside police located Kinsey and Whitford along with crystal methamphetamine and about $2,000 in cash.

The warrants were the result of a raid on the pair’s apartment Sept. 6. Jamestown police reported finding 9 ounces of methamphetamine, fentanyl, Hydrocodone pills, psilocybin mushrooms, three loaded shotguns — one of which was stolen — several rounds of ammunition, over $11,000 in cash and “lots of drug paraphernalia.”

“While executing the search warrant, three subjects attempted to jump from the second story porch,” Jamestown police said at the time. “One of the subjects, while attempting to jump off the second story porch, threw a loaded .25 caliber handgun into the street, which landed next to a Task Force officer.”

Kinsey was charged with second- and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, three counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia and two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Whitford was charged with second- and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia and two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Terrence M. Mcrae, 39, was also taken into custody.

Additional federal charges following Wednesday’s discovery are likely against Kinsey and Whitford, Jamestown police said in a news release.

“We will continue to work diligently and closely with our law enforcement partners in an effort to bring those responsible for the distribution of these horrible drugs in our area,” said Capt. Robert Samuelson of the Jamestown Police Department.

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