Jamestown teen facing felony arson charges

By Eric Tichy

etichy@post-journal.com

Surveillance video helped police identify a Jamestown teenager reportedly involved in fires that caused damage to a popular city eatery and Jamestown High School.

Xavier L. Guadarrma, 19, was jailed on charges of first-, third- and fifth-degree arson following an investigation by the Jamestown police and fire departments.

First responders were called Sunday to Fifties Grill and Dairy located at 1514 Washington St. An employee called 911 after discovering a fire and what appeared to be an incendiary device in the bathroom.

The device, which caused damage to the bathroom wall, was found to be a Molotov cocktail.

A review of surveillance video from Fifties Grill led police to identify Guadarrma.

“It was very fortunate that the device didn’t deploy as it could have as the fire would likely have spread rapidly through the occupied restaurant,” said Capt. Robert Samuelson of the Jamestown Police Department.

An incendiary device was also used at the rear of the high school. The fire was believed to have been set April 9 in the early morning hours but wasn’t discovered until the school reopened Monday.

In a news release, Jamestown police said the fire caused “minor damage to the outside of the building and grass area behind the school.”

The incident also was captured on video, and investigators learned the suspect was the same person involved in the Fifties Grill arson. “We were able to successfully use video from both locations to identify the suspect,” Samuelson said.

JPD said additional charges are pending, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Vehicle theft leads to charges for Gowanda man

GOWANDA — A village resident is in custody after a stolen vehicle pursuit with Cattaraugus County sheriff’s deputies led to a number of charges on Saturday afternoon.

Donald J. Pfafffenback, 39 was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, resisting arrest, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, third-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, reckless driving and second-degree burglary after an incident around 1:20 p.m. Pfaffenbach was transported to the sheriff’s office where he was arraigned.

Deputies also charged Pfaffenbach in a first-degree reckless dangerment incident that also included third-degree criminal mischief and criminal possession of stolen property greater than $3,000.

The two incidents occurred on Wilder Road and Broadway Road, deputies reported.

He was released without bail and will be back in town of Persia Court and the town of Dayton Court at a later date.

Jamestown man pleads guilty to drug charge

A Jamestown man has pleaded guilty to drug charges for his alleged role in a local drug trafficking ring.

Charlie Beardsley, 53, entered the plea to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer.

Between December 2018 and Oct. 27, 2020, Beardsley was found to be an alleged associate in a drug trafficking ring led by his nephew, Rocco Beardsley. The drug ring included the sale of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, and hydrocodone in the Jamestown area.

Beardsley reportedly distributed methamphetamine to Rocco Beardsley’s customers. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Rocco Beardsley stored, distributed, and manufactured methamphetamine, heroin/fentanyl, and other controlled substances at a Newland Avenue resident in Jamestown.

On Jan. 21 and Feb. 11, 2020, an individual working with investigators purchased crystal methamphetamine from Rocco Beardsley at the home.

Charges remain pending against Rocco Beardsley.

Beardsley faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and a $10 million fine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. He is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date.

New York State Police Department

BEMUS POINT — On Tuesday, New York State Police at Jamestown charged Matthew Peterson, 33, of Bemus Point, with driving while intoxicated.

Peterson was pulled over on Route 430 for speeding and after failing several field sobriety tests, Peterson was placed under arrest. Peterson was transported to SP Jamestown where he provided a breath sample of .15. Peterson was then processed, issued tickets and released. Peterson is scheduled to appear in the town of Ellery Court next month.

Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office

HANOVER — At 11 p.m. Tuesdasy, Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputies responded to Angel Road in the town for a report of an unwanted person. Upon arrival Deputies located Michael B. Kleckner, 36 of Brocton, inside the residence. Klecknew was found to be in violation of a stay away order of protection. While placing Kleckner under arrest, he attempted to flee and physically resisted the deputies.

He was transported to the Chautauqua County Jail where he was awaiting Centralized Arraignment on the charges of second-degree criminal contempt, second-degree criminal trespass, aggravated family offense and resisting arrest.