By John Whittaker

jwhittaker@post-journal.com

More than three years ago, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced an indictment charging Joseph Z. Zaso of Buffalo and Denver J. Komenda of Jamestown with narcotics conspiracy.

Both men have since pleaded guilty to those charges – and unleashed a spigot of further federal charges against those tied to Zaso’s drug ring. A guilty plea announced earlier this week from a Jamestown man who was charged as part of the drug trafficking conspiracy is just the latest in a long line of charges, pleas and sentences related to Zaso’s drug trafficking ring in Buffalo and Jamestown. In total, 21 people ranging from Jamestown, Buffalo, Rochester, Binghamton (who was living in Georgia when he was charged) and Olean face federal charges announced over the past three years.

INVESTIGATION BEGINS

Zaso, also known as Joey Cracks, was first federally indicted on June 7, 2022, with using and maintaining a drug-involved premises and distribution of fentanyl. He is still awaiting sentencing after previously pleading guilty, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The original indictment said that between September 2018 and May 2022, Zaso and Komenda conspired to possess and sell heroin and fentanyl. Zaso is also accused of using a residence on Locust Street in Jamestown to conduct drug trafficking activities, including the distribution of large quantities of heroin and fentanyl. At the time Zaso had been on supervised release after being sentenced to 60 months in a federal prison after pleading to a federal drug charge in Michigan. The supervised release was transferred to the Western District of New York. In addition to the 2015 federal drug charge in Michigan Zaso had several arrests and multiple felony convictions that included two drug-related felonies, according to a 2022 federal court decision that allowed the government to incarcerate Zaso while awaiting trial on his Jamestown charges.

Richard Philbrick pleaded guilty in June 2023 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 400 grams or more fentanyl. Philbrick bought and sold heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine for profit and his own use, and utilized Facebook for his drug trafficking activities. Philbrick used and maintained residences on Newland Avenue in Jamestown for drug trafficking. During the course of the investigation, investigators conducted multiple controlled purchases from Philbrick. On May 4, 2022, during a traffic stop by Jamestown Police, officers recovered drugs and drug paraphernalia, $1,098 in U.S. currency, fentanyl, methamphetamine, morphine pills, hydrocodone pills, buprenorphine pills, psilocybin mushrooms, cellphones, suboxone strips, and a Pellet Gun, on Philbrick’s person and during a search of the vehicle. Philbrick had originally been indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2023 as part of a drug ring involving Zaso, Lewis and Brian Cessna of Jamestown.

The next string to come undone in the drug ring was announced in September 2023 when Justin Yuchnitz pleaded guilty to to a federal charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin and fentanyl while Robert Andino pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Yuchnitz sold heroin and fentanyl he received from Zaso utilizing electronic media, such as Facebook and CashApp, to carry out drug trafficking activities.

“For example, in February 2021, he utilized his CashApp account to pay $2,000 to Zaso to cover his drug debts,” the government said. “During the conspiracy, defendant Andino distributed large amounts of heroin and fentanyl that he also received from Joseph Zaso. Andino also distributed heroin and fentanyl on behalf of Zaso to Zaso’s associates and customers.”

Additional charges against Zaso were announced in November 2023 that include brandishing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and document concealment of material fact, for allegedly lying on his monthly probation reports while under the supervision of U.S. Probation. Prosecutors added a second Jamestown address to the previous 12 Locust St. address in the first indictment, with an address on Fairview Avenue also used for drug trafficking. Kyle Lewis was also charged in the second indictment with an additional charge of narcotics conspiracy.

HEATING BACK UP

Earlier this week, Joseph Thayer, 48, pleaded guilty to narcotics conspiracy. Thayer conspired with his roommate, Justin Yuchnitz, to sell heroin and fentanyl supplied by Jaquez Thomas. Thayer was aware that Thomas’s source of supply was Joseph Zaso. During the conspiracy, Yuchnitz amassed a $4,500 dollar debt to Thomas and Zaso, which Thayer tried to assist Yuchnitz in paying off. Thayer is responsible for distributing at least 462 grams of fentanyl.

A March indictment charged Andres Pizzaro Campos a/k/a Kiki, 33, Max Pizzaro Campos, 34, Cindy Frank, 52, Edward Leeper a/k/a Edward Barnes. 46, and Jaquez L. Thomas a/k/a Quez, 21, all of Jamestown, with narcotics conspiracy. In addition, Andres and Max Pizzaro Campos are also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and maintaining a drug involved premises, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, consecutive to any other penalty. Cindy Frank is also charged with obstruction of justice. Police allege the group conspired with Zaso and others to sell heroin and fentanyl in the Jamestown area. Andre and Max Pizarro Campos are accused of utilizing a Hazzard Street residence and possessing firearms to conduct their drug trafficking activities. In addition, on July 26, 2023, Frank allegedly falsely testified to conceal her knowledge of Zaso’s drug trafficking activities.

In March, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Ernest Brown, a/k/a Wayne Perry, a/k/a Wayne Brown, 42, of Buffalo, and James Jackson, a/k/a Bookah 38, of Jamestown with narcotics conspiracy. Police allege Brown and Jackson conspired with Zaso and others to sell fentanyl in the Buffalo and Jamestown areas. Another March indictment charged Blake D. Smith a/k/a Sweets, 49, of Jamestown with narcotics conspiracy and possession of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The indictment alleged Smith conspired with Zaso and others to sell heroin and fentanyl in the Jamestown area. In addition between February 2017 and May 2022, Smith allegedly possessed a firearm during his drug trafficking activities. A third March indictment charged Latika Saintkitts a/k/a Tika, with narcotics conspiracy to sell heroin and fentanyl in the Jamestown area.

BEYOND JAMESTOWN

Those indictments were followed in mid-May with an indictment charging Jason Talley, 46, with narcotics conspiracy alleging Talley conspired with Zaso and others to sell heroin and fentanyl in the Jamestown area.

Lewis was sentenced in February to seven years in prison for his conviction of narcotics conspiracy – with another name added to the list of co-defendants. Holly Berenguer was sentenced in early August after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl. 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.

June brought another indictment tied to Zaso’s ring. Johnny B. Mays, aka “Blaze” of Rochester and Jamestown was indicted on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, one kilogram or more heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and five kilograms or more of cocaine. Police allege in the indictment that Mays conspired with Zaso, co-defendant Quentin L. Yancey and others to sell heroin and fentanyl in the Rochester area. Joseph Zaso was previously charged and convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Charges remain pending against Quentin Yancey.

Aug. 19 brought the first out-of-state indictment in the case when a federal grand jury charged Jeryel L. Winfield a/k/a Derezz a/k/a Idriys, 51, of McDonough, Ga., formerly of Binghamton, with narcotics conspiracy. Police allege Winfield was part of the conspiracy to sell heroin and fentanyl in Jamestown.

Those Charged

Denver Komenda

Kyle Lewis

Richard A. Philbrick

Bryan Cessna

Justin Yuchnitz

Joseph Thayer

Jaquez Thomas

Ernest Brown

James Jackson

Jason Talley

Andres Pizzaro Campos

Max Pizzaro Campos

Cindy Frank

Edward Leeper

Holly Berenguer

Quentin L. Yancey

Johnny B. Mays

Jeryel L. Winfield

Blake D. Smith

Latika Saintkitts

Theodore E. Coffie

Addresses

Locust Avenue

Fairview Avenue

Newland Avenue

Buffalo

Hazzard Street

Rochester

Georgia

Binghamton

Olean