A Jamestown man is going to be behind bars for his role in selling illegal drugs in the city.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross has announced that 55-year-old Roberto Morales Sanchez, 55, who was convicted of narcotics conspiracy involving one kilogram or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, was sentenced to serve 13 years in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that Sanchez bought and sold heroin and fentanyl for profit, and he supplied co-conspirators Ryan Bloom and Rachelle Allison with heroin and fentanyl for distribution.

With the assistance of Sanchez, Bloom and Allison utilized a Fairview Avenue residence to conduct their drug trafficking activities. In addition to selling heroin and fentanyl, Bloom and Allison ran a needle exchange out of the residence. Sanchez also utilized his own Willis Street residence for drug trafficking purposes, and possessed a revolver for protection because of his drug business.

On February 26, 2021, while at his residence, Sanchez accused another individual of stealing 20 grams of heroin from him. Sanchez took out his revolver and loaded it in front of the person, who managed to escape. Subsequently, Jamestown Police executed search warrants on Sanchez’s vehicle and residence, during which law enforcement recovered approximately $24,520 in cash, the loaded revolver, and ammunition.

Defendant Bloom was previously convicted and sentenced to serve 20 years in prison. Allison was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Jamestown Police Chief Timothy Jackson, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division.