A Jamestown man has pleaded guilty to heroin and fentyl charges.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced Friday that James Brandow, 34, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin and fentanyl. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that between July 2020, and June 2021, Brandow conspired with others to sell heroin and fentanyl. Brandow utilized Facebook to conduct his drug trafficking activities including arranging deals with customers, associates, co-conspirators, and suppliers. On July 31, 2020, Brandow sold heroin and fentanyl which resulted in the death of an individual identified as K.T. and resulted in seriously bodily injury to an individual identified as B.F.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation. The task force 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 Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The plea is result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 14 before Judge Skretny.