Three plead guilty in meth conspiracy

TRI-COUNTY AREA--Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. announced three defendants pled guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr. for their roles in a methamphetamine conspiracy:
• Scott Kennedy, 40, of Beaver Dams pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. The defendant a faces a minimum penalty of 20 years in prison, a maximum of life and a $20,000,000 fine.
• Jared Mendez, 32, of Bradford pled guilty theft of anhydrous ammonia with knowledge it will be used to manufacture methamphetamine and faces eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
• Terry Champion, 48, of Bradford pled guilty to possession of a listed chemical with knowledge it will be used to manufacture a controlled substance. The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated between June 2012, and May 4, 2016, Scott Kennedy conspired with others, including Mendez and Champion, to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. Kennedy distributed large amounts of methamphetamine with and to people throughout the area of Schuyler, Chemung and Steuben Counties. During this time, the defendant personally manufactured large amounts of methamphetamine at his home at 44 Campground Road in the town of Catlin and on the property maintained by his sister Wendy Kennedy at 2200 County Route 19 in the town of Dix.
During this time, Scott Kennedy also received the assistance of numerous co-conspirators who provided him with supplies with the intent that he would use those supplies to manufacture methamphetamine. Between July 2015 and October 2015, Mendez stole anhydrous ammonia and sold it to Kennedy.
Between January 2016 and May 4, 2016, Champion obtained quantities of pseudoephedrine and sold it to Scott Kennedy. In addition, on Jan. 22, 2016, Champion possessed approximately 182 pseudoephedrine pills for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine. On that date, the defendant was pulled over while driving on South Valley Road in Steuben County. During a search of the vehicle, officers located the pseudoephedrine pills.
Charges are pending against Wendy Kennedy and another co-defendant, Quinton Harrison. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The pleas are the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, Special Investigations Unit, Rochester; the New York State Police, CNET Southern Tier, under the direction of Major Richard Allen; the Schuyler County Sheriff's Department, under the direction of William Yessman; and the Schuyler County District Attorney's Office, under the direction of Joseph Fazzary.
Scott Kennedy is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 20, Champion Nov. 30 and Mendez Dec. 1, all before Judge Geraci.