No corrective actions are being recommended after an incarcerated 35-year-old Olean man died from a “multidrug intoxication” of methamphetamine and fentanyl
No corrective actions are being recommended after an incarcerated 35-year-old Olean man died from a “multidrug intoxication” of methamphetamine and fentanyl
OBSERVER Staff Report
Submitted photo
The Cattaraugus County Sheriffâs Office recently introduced K-9 Silas, a 14-month-old Labrador retriever. The K-9 and Deputy Kale Luce work at the Randolph Central School District, where the deputy is assigned as the school resource officer.
LITTLE VALLEY The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office has welcomed its newest member to the force K-9 Silas, a 14-month-old Labrador retriever.
Silas began working with the Sheriff’s Office in December 2020 with partner, Deputy Kale Luce. The pair is a certified Law Enforcement Investigative Therapy Canine Team, according to Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb in a news release.
The two attended the Paws and Stripes College at the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in Cocoa, Fla., where they successfully completed the United K-9’s Law Enforcement and Multi-Discipline Therapy Dog Training course, as well as the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
A Fredonia man has pleaded guilty in federal court to drug charges.
U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced Wednesday that Nathaniel Gates Jr., 47, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possessing with intent to distribute, and distributing, 28 grams or more of crack cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth T. Molisani and Charles E. Watkins, who are handling the case, stated that in April 2015, the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating the drug trafficking activities of the defendant in Chautauqua County. During the investigation, investigators made three controlled purchases of narcotics from Gates. Investigators also executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Brigham Road apartment in Fredonia and recovered illegal narcotics and items commonly used in drug distribution.
Drug dealing has led to time served and two years supervised release for a Sinclairville woman.
U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced Monday the sentencing by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara of Tracy Griffin, 38, who was convicted of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, acetyl fentanyl, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that in January 2019, Griffin and co-defendant Brandon Blackshear conspired to sell acetyl fentanyl, fentanyl, and crack cocaine. On January 2 and 22, members of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force conducted controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Griffin and Blackshear.