Jamestown Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Drug Case

A Jamestown man has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his role in a narcotics conspiracy involving heroin and fentanyl.

Kyle Lewis, 33, was sentenced to 84 months by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo after being convicted of narcotics conspiracy, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti.

Prosecutors stated that Lewis obtained drugs from co-defendants Holly Berenguer, Richard Philbrick, and Joseph Zaso and used electronic platforms, including Facebook and CashApp, to facilitate sales. Investigators conducted five controlled purchases from Lewis in March, June, and July of 2022, leading to his arrest.

Berenguer, Philbrick, and Zaso have also been convicted and are awaiting sentencing.

The case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, a federal initiative aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations through a coordinated, multi-agency approach. The investigation involved the Jamestown Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office.