United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Michael Murphy, 31, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that between June 2019 and October 2020, Murphy bought, sold, and distributed quantities of methamphetamine for profit. In July 2019, the United States Marshal’s Service and other law enforcement officers went to a Bishop Street residence in Jamestown, where Murphy was present, to apprehend a federal fugitive. When they arrived, law enforcement observed, in plain view, distribution amounts of methamphetamine. They seized the methamphetamine and $1,476 in cash. Subsequently, a search warrant was executed, and investigators seized another 223 grams of actual methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. In November 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at Murphy’s Newland Avenue residence in Jamestown. Before execution of the warrant, Murphy ran away, dropping a digital scale. Inside the residence, law enforcement recovered methamphetamine, illicit mushrooms, other drug paraphernalia, two firearms and ammunition, and $1,642 in cash. The investigation also included four controlled purchases of drugs from Murphy.

Co-defendants Rocco Beardsley, Miller Hagga, and Austin Gordon are scheduled for trial on September 6, 2023. Co-defendants Kylie Reeves, Garland Beardsley, Tyler Tedesco, and Giselle Bennett were previously convicted and are awaiting sentencing.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department and the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force, under the direction of Jamestown Police Chief Timothy Jackson; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 17, 2023, before Judge Arcara.