MONTICELLO – A 43-year-old Kissimmee, Florida man has been convicted in Sullivan County Court of attempting to operate as a major drug trafficker.
A grand jury investigated Jahmel Ford in 2019 and accused him of conspiring to distribute heroin, cocaine and oxycodone in Sullivan County.
He was extradited to New York and prosecuted by District Attorney Meagan Galligan’s office. With the case set for trial on April 29, he pled guilty to attempting to operate as a major trafficker, conspiracy and criminal sale of a controlled substance, all of which are felonies.
When sentenced in July, he faces up to 15 years in state prison.
“The importation of dangerous and deadly narcotics into Sullivan County is a serious threat to public safety and the well-being of those who live, work and travel here,” said Galligan. “This defendant’s attempt to shield himself from prosecution by conducting his operations from Florida failed because our law enforcement community is committed to identifying, apprehending and prosecuting offenders like this.”
The collaboration of law enforcement that cracked his case included the State Police, local police and the DA’s office, specifically ADA Lisa Bondarenka.
