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Operation Horseback in Jamestown a year later

JAMESTOWN – Just over a year ago, a large-scale and unprecedented drug sweep known as “Operation Horseback” staunched a serious flow of heroin into Jamestown.

Executed July 30, 2014, the sweep involved more than 120 law enforcement officers, ranging from agents of the Attorney General’s Office, the New York State Police Department, the Jamestown Police Department, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Border Patrol.

Raids were conducted in both Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties as well as other parts of New York state. In the end, 45 out of 47 individuals named in a 159-count indictment were taken into custody, from low- to mid-level dealers to drug users charged for their association with the pipelines.

While the Jamestown police have acknowledged that heroin has rebounded since “Operation Horseback,” most of the “big-time dealers” apprehended in the drug sweep are serving jail time, while others who were simply feeding their addiction were sent to treatment court.

The cases of the 47 individuals apprehended during “Operation Horseback” are being handled by the New York State Office of the Attorney General.

The following is a list of the individuals and their current status:

Individuals who were placed and still remain on interim probation for one year:

Roberto Figueredo, a/k/a “Bost”; 26

Rolando Garcia; 51, Jamestown

Angelita Guzman, a/k/a “Michelle”; 29, Jamestown

Moises Lopez-Encarnacion, a/k/a “Junito”; 23, Mayville

Francisco Guzman Gonzalez; 47, Jamestown

LaShawn Paige; 43, Binghamton

Individuals who were placed on interim probation for two years:

Joseph Fontanez; 25, Jamestown

John Grilla; 29, Jamestown

Eric M. Lundsten; 31, Ellington

Hector Cameron, a/k/a “Loco”; 32, Jamestown

Javier Carasquillo, a/k/a “Oreja”; 44, Jamestown

Alfredo Diaz, a/k/a “Ding Dong”; 52, Jamestown

Doris Ramos; 26, Jamestown

Jonathan Ribbing; 28, Lakewood

Eddie Robles, a/k/a “Nelson”; 50, Jamestown

Randall Rolison; 52, Jamestown

Olga Santiago; 50, Jamestown

Jesus Javier Suarez; 45, Jamestown

Edwin Velasquez; 54, Falconer

Individual who was placed on probation for five years:

Neftali Benitez, a/k/a “Tego”; 34, Jamestown

Individuals who will appear in court Monday:

Carlos Echiaverria, a/k/a “Boobie”; 32, Jamestown

Luis DeJesus, a/k/a “Papito”; 30, Jamestown

Christopher Freeney; 44, Jamestown

Michael Lisciandro; a/k/a “Dougie”; 24, Jamestown

Frank Orazio; 25, Cassadaga

James Torres; a/k/a “BK”; 43, Jamestown

Damaris Urena; 36, Jamestown

Joshua Van Ord; 20, Lakewood

Individual who will appear in court on Oct. 5:

Enrique Torres-Baez; a/k/a “Quique”; 44, Jamestown

Individual who will appear in court at a later date:

Ricardo Ramos; 28, Jamestown

Individual who was sent to a drug treatment program in California:

Samantha DiLallo; 27, Randolph

Individuals who were sentenced:

Leslie Rodriguez, 29, of Jamestown was sentenced to a determinate two years of state prison and two years of post-release supervision

Ivan DeJesus Pena, 46, of Jamestown was sentenced to a determinate 1 years of state prison and two years of post-release supervision

Jose Guevara, a/k/a “Pun”; 30, of Jamestown was sentenced to a determinate two years of state prison and two years of post-release supervision

Luis Lozada Berberena, a/k/a “Wiso”; 41, of Jamestown was sentenced to a determinate 5 years of state prison and two years of post-release supervision

Roberto Morales-Sanchez, a/k/a “Pichulin”; 46, of Jamestown was sentenced to a determinate two years of state prison and two years of post-release supervision

Stephen Bush; 34, of Jamestown was sentenced to a determinate three years of state prison and two years of post-release supervision

Charles Brown, a/k/a “Choco Loco”; 43, Falconer was sentenced to attend a treatment program and pay a $1,000 fine to the probation office

Hector Colon Rodriguez, a/k/a “Chino”; 41, Jamestown was sentenced to an indeterminate 1 to four years of state prison

Bryan Bobe; 26, Jamestown was sentenced to five years of probation

Walter Westerdahl, 34, Jamestown was sentenced to five years of probation

Carlos Encarnacion, 60, of Jamestown was sentenced to an indeterminate 1 1/3 to 4 years and a determinate 5 years in the New York State Department of Corrections. The sentences will run concurrently. Encarnacion will also face 2 years of post-release supervision

Jean Noriega, a/k/a “John”; 44, was sentenced to 45 days in the Chautauqua County Jail and have a 6-month license suspension

Individuals who still have outstanding warrants:

Alberto Alicea; 55, Brooklyn

Francis Vega, a/k/a “Pollo”; 37

Neftali Cintron, a/k/a “Pucho”; 52, of Jamestown, and Luis Garcia, 54, were originally in custody and failed to appear for their respective court dates.

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