Chautauqua County Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Meth Distribution

A Chautauqua County man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison following a conviction on drug distribution charges.

Darin L. Butts, Jr., 31, of Celeron, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

Federal prosecutors said that in July and August of 2023, investigators conducted multiple controlled purchases of methamphetamine and fentanyl from Butts. A search of his residence and two vehicles on August 23, 2023, led to the seizure of approximately 610 grams of methamphetamine, some of which was packaged for individual sale, along with drug paraphernalia and $14,829 in cash, which authorities say were proceeds from drug sales.

A subsequent search of Butts' residence on May 3, 2024, uncovered additional quantities of suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as drug paraphernalia.

The case was investigated by several law enforcement agencies, including the Jamestown Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Field Division, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, the Ellicott Police Department, and the Dunkirk Police Department.

Butts was sentenced to 120 months in prison as part of the case.