BUFFALO, NY — A Jamestown man pleaded guilty to federal sex trafficking and narcotics conspiracy charges.
Zaid Mendoza, also known as Diamond, 47, of Jamestown and Falconer, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr., according to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo.
Mendoza pleaded guilty to narcotics conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more methamphetamine, and heroin, and three counts of sex trafficking by force.
The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that between 2020 and December 2022, Mendoza was a manager and supervisor of a drug trafficking organization, utilizing drug runners, drivers, and associates to sell drugs and collect debts.
During the conspiracy, Mendoza bought and sold fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin for profit.
He used his West Main Street residence to manufacture, distribute, and use the drugs.
On Oct. 6, 2022, law enforcement stopped a vehicle Mendoza was a passenger in and recovered methamphetamine from the driver and approximately 25 grams of fentanyl on Mendoza.
On Dec. 7, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at Mendoza’s residence, recovering cash, approximately 34 grams of fentanyl, approximately 14 grams of methamphetamine, and approximately a gram of a combination of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, a semi-automatic pistol, and a large capacity magazine.
In 2020, Mendoza met a victim and pursued her for sexual activity.
The victim, who was addicted to drugs, believed that if she had sex with Mendoza, he would give her heroin and fentanyl.
The victim had sex with Mendoza in exchange for drugs on three occasions.
In the spring of 2022, Mendoza met a second victim at a drug house in Jamestown.
She was also a heavy drug user and knew that Mendoza was a drug dealer.
In June 2022, the second victim met Mendoza at a motel in Jamestown with the understanding that she would engage in sexual activity with Mendoza and that he would give her drugs.
This occurred on several other occasions in July 2022.
Between October and December 2022, Mendoza conspired with co-defendants to force two additional victims to engage in commercial sex acts.
Both victims struggled with drug addictions.
The victims were provided shelter at Mendoza’s residence as well as food, clothing, and daily quantities of fentanyl in exchange for their performance of commercial sex acts for money.
The proceeds went to Mendoza.
The co-conspirators utilized the website Skipthegames.com to find customers.
Charges are pending against co-defendant Kelvin Thomas.
Cora Waddington was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department Metro Drug Task Force, under the direction of Acting Chief Scott Forster, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 9, 2026, before Judge Sinatra.
