Federal Grand Jury Returns Second Superseding Indictment Charging Joseph Zaso and Kyle Lewis with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : Buffalo, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross made a significant announcement today, revealing that a federal grand jury has issued a second superseding indictment against Joseph Zaso, also known as Joey Cracks or Sosa, aged 39, from Buffalo, NY, and Kyle N. Lewis, aged 31, from Jamestown, NY. The two individuals, who were previously charged with multiple drug-related offenses, now face additional charges.

The updated indictment charges Zaso with the alleged brandishing of firearms in the pursuit of a drug trafficking crime, as well as the concealment of material facts on his monthly probation reports while under the supervision of U.S. Probation. If found guilty, Zaso could face a mandatory life sentence. On the other hand, Lewis is charged with narcotics conspiracy, which carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is overseeing the case, revealed that the indictment, along with previous charges, accuses Zaso of orchestrating and managing an illegal narcotics ring in the Jamestown and Buffalo regions between September 2018 and May 26, 2022. Zaso allegedly conspired with Lewis and others to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, utilizing various locations, such as residences at 12 Locust Street and 110 Fairview Avenue in Jamestown, as well as 48 Laurel Street in Buffalo, for their illicit drug activities. Moreover, Zaso stands accused of selling heroin to an individual identified as B.K., which resulted in serious bodily injury.

Both Zaso and Lewis are currently being held in custody.

This operation forms part of the wider Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. OCDETF employs a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, and multi-agency approach to identify, disrupt, and dismantle high-level criminal organizations that pose a threat to the United States. For further information on the OCDETF Program, please visit https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The second superseding indictment is the culmination of a thorough investigation conducted by the Jamestown Police Department, under the guidance of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Drug Enforcement Administration, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the command of Sheriff James Quattrone.

It is important to note that the filing of charges against a defendant is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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