Behind Bars
Police Nab Major City Drug SupplierBy Luke Anderson landerson@post-journal.com
POSTED: June 12, 2008
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‘‘This is a local individual who was dealing large volumes of drugs.’’
Police say Jose Martinez, 39, of 8 W. 11th St., Jamestown, was picked up Tuesday on a federal indictment warrant charging him with conspiring to distribute and distributing cocaine in the Jamestown area.
Martinez, also known as Julio Melendez and Noelle, was allegedly a major supplier of the Q Dog drug ring.
In March, Quentin ‘‘Q Dog’’ Leeper and 10 associates were arrested on federal drug charges. Police say Martinez supplied Leeper and his associates with three kilograms of cocaine — worth $300,000 on the street — during their investigation into Leeper’s activities.
‘‘This is a local individual who was dealing large volumes of drugs,’’ said Rex Rater, Jamestown police chief/public safety director. ‘‘Any time you measure the drugs someone supplies in kilograms and pounds, we are talking about a large impact on the community.’’
Rater went on to call Martinez a ‘‘key criminal element’’ in the area.
Lt. John Runkle, Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force director, said Martinez is one of the most significant drug suppliers he has dealt with during his 25-year career.
‘‘I don’t recall anybody more substantial in terms of cocaine trafficking or anybody who had such an impact on this area,’’ Runkle said.
In addition to the charges brought Tuesday, Martinez faces drug charges in Pennsylvania, where he is accused of bringing as much as eight to 10 kilograms of cocaine per month into the Erie area. The drugs in that case had an alleged street value of $3.75 million.
Martinez was arrested in Jamestown while out on bail from the Pennsylvania charges. He is being held without bail and faces a minimum 20-year prison sentence if convicted of the most recent charges.
Martinez is the 13th suspect arrested in connection with the Quentin Leeper drug network. Of those, eight are being held without bail, four have been released on bail and one, Quincy Turner, was shot and killed May 30.
Police say the investigation into Leeper’s drug ring is continuing, with more arrests expected.
Member Comments
View Comments: | 1-9 | Post a comment
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msleoheart
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06-13-08 11:51 PM
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To JOHN70- unfortunately to attack us here, is the wrong way to handle it. You attacked two specific people for something other than what this was all about. Owning two homes does not make you any better than everyone else. I also own my home, do not live in Jamestown, have lost loved ones to drunk drivers, but one has nothing to do with the other. Oh and two homes, that is right, I own about 4 rentals as well, and I work. Wow! Who would of guessed someone else was your equal huh??? All I am saying is, you said why dont they now focus on officers driving drunk. I think they need to focus on all crime, and drug activity is at the top of the list. Unfortunately I have a young adult son, age 24 who became involved in this type of environment with his friends, and his brain is fried from it. He will never again live a normal life. We cant control what our children do as adults, but we can sure assist in getting the harmfull ones off the streets!
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sorry4urloss
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06-13-08 9:50 PM
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Well John needs to grow up and realize that if he has something to say About Gerace and rexter then get balls and say something to them i gurantee that he wouldnt say anything,Qt4eva i know what you mean get that stuff taken care of the man that is in jail is part of this but the police have been notified of him being part of the death of Quincy's murder
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John70
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06-13-08 8:02 AM
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Actually I live no where near Jamestown. I was smart and moved along time ago to better myself. I have a professional career and probably make more money than all three of you combined. Never been arrested but often visit my lakehouse during the year and observe the drunken police at the local bars. How many of you own two homes. Thats what I thought. Your probably one of those mininum wage civil servants that drink and drive. I had a close family member killed by a drunk driver that why i am so against it. Get a clue and move out of the 80's
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pamkpamk55
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06-13-08 6:33 AM
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I agree. Sounds like "John" has an ax to grind with the local PD's. He may be right, but that doesn't mean they can't and won't do their jobs and get the scum off the streets. I say, "Keep going!" to our local police agencies. Whether it's one at a time or the whole gang, get them away from us and our kids! ANd, maybe John needs to get his local buddies to give up some information. (Sounds to me like he is the kind of guy who's had a little too much contact with police...and I dare say, on the wrong end of an arrest..or five or six.
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QT4eva
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06-12-08 10:50 PM
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first of all why are you commenting on the JPD getting drunk and driving??!!! Who cares!! There is something much more serious going on here with all the drugs, murder, and mole face Noelle. I just pray that all of the scared a___ people in Jamestown that know something will step forward and tell the truth about who killed Quincy.Get It Done!!! The town needs to stick together and step up and get this solved. You always talk about the JPD not doing shit,or solving any cases, then why not step up if you have information, have some character!! There is a reward (very large sum of $$$$) to anyone who has information leading to the arrest of the individual or individual's of Quincy's murder.
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msleoheart
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06-12-08 10:20 PM
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Why is it whenever someone is taken off the streets that is likely supplying children in some way, shape or form, with drugs that are going to harm them, or better yet, kill them, that there is always someone that attacks the police department for some form of their job that they are not doing? If there are officers drinking and driving then that is their bad, and they will eventually get caught, maybe not by a fellow local officer, but by another agency (Sheriffs department, State Police, West Ellicote). Everyone gets caught sooner or later people, sometimes it might be to late to save the lives that they may have already harmed, but they do get caught! I think we should congratulate the Jamestown Police Department for taking another criminal off the streets, instead of pointing fingers about the officers that might be doing something wrong in their off duty time. I dont see you offering information here on your friends that are probably still dealing drugs!
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John70
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06-12-08 3:58 PM
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Hey Gerace and Rexter Why don't you now focus on all your officers driving drunk. Just go to some of the local bars and you see police officers drinking heavily and then driving home because their exempt from the law (they think). Your officers are a joke and live to a double standard. What makes them above the law. I would love for dateline to come to the area to do and undercover investigation and reveal how sorry all the local police officers are. DO SOMETHING ABOUT REXTER AND GERACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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holly10berry
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06-12-08 11:57 AM
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He looks creapy as Hell!!
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Suggaface
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06-12-08 10:27 AM
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He looks like an out of shape Kevin Federline
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