Traffic stops lead to seizure of nearly a pound of meth | News, Sports, Jobs

According to the Jamestown Police Department statistics report released earlier this year, methamphetamine was the most commonly seized drug by Jamestown police officers from 2019 to 2022: 1,948 grams in 2019, 1,790 grams in 2020, 4,003 grams in 2021 and 4,191 grams in 2022. Meth seizures dropped to 1,871 grams in 2023, while fentanyl and cocaine seizures skyrocketed. Cocaine seizures decreased from 4,207 grams in 2018 to 1,176 grams in 2019, 594 grams in 2020, 1,566 grams in 2021, 1,024 grams in 2022, and then increased again to 2,144 grams in 2023. The amount of fentanyl, meanwhile, has steadily increased from 2018 to 2023, from 6 grams in 2018 to 9,384 grams in 2023.

Ruben L. Medina, 19, of Jamestown was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a controlled substance at 6:56 p.m. Wednesday after his vehicle was stopped by city police officers near Falconer and Liberty streets. According to a police report, officers already knew Medina had a warrant for his arrest for a suspended sentence. Medina was arraigned without incident and taken to the city jail until he could be arraigned. During a search of the jail, officers reportedly found 115.2 grams of methamphetamine.

Medina was also charged in August for allegedly being found in possession of cocaine during a traffic stop and in October 2023 for allegedly striking police officers during an incident at Forest Avenue and Superior Street as officers were investigating a report of a vehicle illegally parked and blocking traffic.

Lisa M. Tibbetts, 48, of Jamestown was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class A-2 felony, and resisting arrest after the vehicle she was riding in was stopped by city police officers on Newland Avenue near Foote Avenue at 8:57 p.m. Wednesday. According to a police report, officers knew Tibbetts had an outstanding warrant from the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department for second-degree unlawful possession of a controlled substance and an outstanding warrant from the city of Jamestown. Before officers activated their blue lights to conduct a traffic stop, Tibbetts exited the vehicle and began to flee. She was caught after a short foot chase and a brief struggle.

Lisa Tibbets

A search of Tibbetts’ purse revealed 211.7 grams of methamphetamine, nearly half a pound. Due to the amount of methamphetamine and the defendant’s attempted escape, she was recharged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to police.

In June, Tibbets was charged after investigators with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown Police Department and Dunkirk Police Department found 12.1 grams of methamphetamine, scales and packaging used for the sale and distribution of methamphetamine, and a quantity of cash in the upstairs apartment at 814 E. Second St. in Jamestown. Tibbetts was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Tibbetts also had an outstanding warrant from Chautauqua County Court for drug possession and a warrant from Jamestown City Court for possession of stolen property at the time.

In September 2023, Tibbetts was taken into custody after a search warrant was executed for 35 Arden Parkway. The search warrant was part of an investigation involving the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, local canine units and the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office.

In the house, investigators found 220 grams of methamphetamine, a scale, packaging material and cash.

Tibbetts is currently facing charges of second- and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Jamestown Police were also assisted by the Warren County, Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Office and the Warren County Drug Task Force.

“This involved the sale and distribution of methamphetamine, not only in the Jamestown area, but also in Pennsylvania,” JPD said in a press release.