Jaquez Thomas, 22, of Jamestown, New York, was sentenced on Apr. 8 to serve 96 months in prison for his role in a drug conspiracy involving fentanyl distribution, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr., handed down the sentence after Thomas was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal and local law enforcement agencies to address drug trafficking and related crimes within communities. The Justice Department serves as the principal federal agency for law enforcement according to its official website.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti said that between 2020 and 2022, Thomas distributed quantities of fentanyl and cocaine he received from Joseph Zaso using Facebook and Cash App for transactions. During this period, Thomas supplied fentanyl to Justin Yuchnitz and Joseph Thayer. In addition, Thomas conspired with Jose Maisonet in 2022; police conducted three controlled purchases from Maisonet that spring.
In July 2022, authorities executed a search warrant at Thomas’s Allen Street residence where they found a loaded handgun and drug paraphernalia. Another search at Maisonet’s Forest Avenue residence led officers to seize suspected crack cocaine and methamphetamine along with digital scales, cell phones, and $2,715 in cash.
Other individuals involved—Joseph Zaso, Joseph Thayer, and Justin Yuchnitz—have been convicted and are awaiting sentencing while Jose Maisonet has already been sentenced in a separate case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative that coordinates resources from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) programs aimed at eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
The investigation included contributions from the Jamestown Police Department under Chief Scott Forster; the Drug Enforcement Administration led by Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam; New York Field Division; as well as the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff James Quattrone.
The Justice Department includes over 115,000 employees operating across the United States and internationally as noted on its official website. Garland assumed leadership as Attorney General on March 11, 2021 according to department records, overseeing key prosecutions such as the Oklahoma City bombing case during his tenure as reported by DOJ. The department maintains operations throughout all states as well as over fifty countries worldwide according to its official site while focusing on upholding rule of law, ensuring national safety, and safeguarding civil rights as detailed online.
