Christopher Marcinkowski, 39, of Dunkirk, New York, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with maintaining a drug-involved premises and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced on April 2. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
The case draws attention to ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address drug trafficking and violent incidents involving firearms. Authorities said the investigation began in February when the Drug Enforcement Administration started assisting the Chautauqua County Narcotics Unit with inquiries into Marcinkowski’s activities.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy C. Lynch and Garrett Fitzsimmons, investigators conducted two garbage pulls at a Franklin Avenue residence associated with Marcinkowski during February and March. Plastic baggies found tested positive for cocaine residue. On March 24, investigators executed a search warrant at the same location when Marcinkowski allegedly fired two rounds from a firearm—one striking an officer—which led to several hours of standoff before he surrendered without further incident.
Following the standoff, officers seized approximately 197 grams of suspected psychedelic mushrooms, about eleven pounds of suspected marijuana, three firearms, roughly $30,000 in cash, and various drug paraphernalia from the residence. Authorities noted that Marcinkowski has three prior federal convictions: one for possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (October 2013), as well as another for distributing cocaine (November 2021).
Marcinkowski is scheduled for an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy on April 8 at 2:00 p.m.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration under Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam; Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff James Quattrone; Jamestown Police Department under Acting Chief Scott Forster; and Dunkirk Police Department under Chief Christopher Witkowski.
Authorities remind that “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.”
