A Jamestown man has pleaded guilty to selling methamphetamine.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Richard S. Dean, 44, entered the plea Monday to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, 500 grams of methamphetamine before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that Dean was a drug trafficking associate of co-defendant Douglas Beardsley. During the conspiracy, Dean would allegedly go over to Beardsley’s residences on Linden and Forest avenues in Jamestown several times a week and pick up ounces of methamphetamine and grams of heroin to sell for Beardsley.

At times, Beardsley would “front” the narcotics to the defendant to sell. Dean and Beardsley would often communicate about their drug trafficking, including through their Facebook accounts.

On Jan. 6, 2019, local law enforcement observed a suspicious male, later identified as Dean, who became evasive and ran from officers. Shortly thereafter, the city man was taken into custody and arrested on an outstanding warrant.

Dean was transported to the Jamestown City jail where a subsequent search revealed that he possessed methamphetamine, heroin, plastic bags, a digital scale and Dimethyl Sulfone, a common cutting agent for methamphetamine.

On March 21, 2019, Dean pleaded guilty in Chautauqua County Court to fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.

Charges remain pending against Beardsley.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $10 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 23, 2020, at 12:30 p.m.