A Jamestown man pleaded guilty to federal charges connected to a sex trafficking operation and drug distribution scheme, prosecutors said.
Kelvin Thomas, 43, entered the plea before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.
Prosecutors said Thomas worked with Zaid Mendoza and Cora Waddington between October and December 2022 to operate a sex trafficking operation involving two individuals identified as Victim 1 and Victim 2.
The victims, who had drug addictions, were provided shelter at a residence on West Main Street in Falconer along with food, clothing, and daily quantities of heroin or fentanyl.
In exchange, they were required to perform commercial sex acts for money, with the proceeds going to Mendoza.
Investigators said Thomas helped arrange buyers, posted advertisements with photographs of the victims on Skipthegames.com, transported the victims to appointments away from the residence, and provided protection during those encounters.
Thomas was paid in drugs by Mendoza or Waddington for his role in the operation.
Authorities said his involvement in the trafficking conspiracy also connected him to the pair’s drug distribution activities.
Between Aug. 30 and Oct. 30, 2023, investigators conducted three controlled purchases of fentanyl and methamphetamine from Thomas.
On Nov. 1, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence on Newland Avenue associated with Thomas and seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine hydrochloride.
Mendoza and Waddington were previously convicted in connection with the operation.
Thomas faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of life.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 22 before Judge Sinatra.
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