A Jamestown woman has pleaded guilty to charges related to narcotics distribution and firearms possession, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. Sabrina Flores, also known as Notorious Marie, age 25, entered her plea before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Flores admitted to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl. She also pleaded guilty to being a user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm. These charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and could result in up to life imprisonment.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti stated that Flores was associated with Zaid Mendoza, who is identified as a drug trafficker based in Jamestown. According to Violanti, Flores distributed heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine on Mendoza’s behalf and used Facebook as part of her drug trafficking activities.
On December 7, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Mendoza’s residence on West Main Street. Authorities seized $1,800 in cash along with various drugs including 34 grams of fentanyl and 14 grams of methamphetamine. They also found one gram containing a mixture of fentanyl, cocaine, para-fluorofentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, ANPP (4-anilino-N-phenethyl-4-piperidine), and methamphetamine. Additionally, officers recovered a semi-automatic pistol and a large capacity magazine during the search.
Flores acknowledged that she was an unlawful and habitual user of fentanyl at the time she possessed the firearm.
Charges against Zaid Mendoza are still pending.
The case falls under the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative created by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is described as “a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.” The statement adds: “Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations… In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children.” The task force also works on prosecuting violent criminal aliens for removal from the country.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office led by Sheriff James Quattrone; Jamestown Police Department led by Chief Timothy Jackson; and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Field Division under Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam.
Sentencing for Flores is scheduled for August 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., before Judge Sinatra.
