4 | December 20, 2014 • Valley News - Tri Lakes Edition
www.valleynewsadk.com
Published by Denton Publications, Inc.
Thirteen nabbed in Essex County drug raids By Pete DeMola
pete@denpubs.com ELIZABETHTOWN — The 13 county residents who found themselves in Hon. Judge Richard B. MeyerÕ s courtroom being arraigned on felony drug charges on Friday, Dec. 12 are unlikely to have a holly jolly holiday season. Beginning at daybreak, suspects were nabbed in raids conducted by several regional law enforcement agencies across the region as part of a coordinated effort to identify, investigate and apprehend suspected narcotics dealers operating within the county. The dates of the alleged crimes for many of the accused stretch back into last year and only now are the defendants being brought up on multiple charges. Officials declined to comment on the exact nature of the investigations, which are ongoing. Additional arrests are anticipated and names will not be released prior to their apprehension. Two each of the suspects are from Ticonderoga, Mineville, Schroon Lake, Keeseville and Saranac Lake, while one each reside in Port Henry, Willsboro and Lake Placid. SEALED INDICTMENTS FridayÕ s arraignment process saw most suspects brought before Meyer, who would open a sealed indictment before the court, read the charges, hand over the indictment for their review and ask if they understood. The sealed indictment meant they were unaware of the charges until brought before the court. Few opted to have Meyer explain the charges containing the details of the date and location of the alleged crimes. Assistant District Attorney Jamie Martineau represented the state. Most cases were dismissed until Jan. 12, when suspects were required to return to the courtroom for settlement conferences. Pre-trial motions were slated for Jan. 27. THE SUSPECTS Christopher A. Smith puts in up to 70 hours per week at Schluter Systems in Plattsburgh. This morning, he was picked up for two separate counts of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance third degree, or four charges in total. The double-blast indicates possession on sale on two separate occasions, a charge facing most of the dayÕ s suspects. The substances were hydromorphone and cocaine. Public Defender Brandon Boutelle went up to bat for him, citing an eight-year marriage with two children. “If anyone qualifies for supervised release, it would be Mr. Smith,Ó said Boutelle. Meyer kicked him loose, releasing him on his own recognizance. In the courtroom, a woman sobbed. Keeseville resident Scott A. Pelkey, 50, was charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance third degree and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance third degree. Hydrocodone. Pelkey was remanded to Essex County Jail, where he had already been serving a one-year sentence, in lieu of $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond. Martineau noted Pelkey’s “very significant” criminal history dating back to the 1980s, including conviction for burglaries. Ò A lifelong of living and committing crimes,Ó he said. Like several others, Pelkey is unemployed and on disability. Meyer asked him if he understood the charges: Ò I think so,Ó he said. Adam Cahill, of Willsboro, was collared for two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance fourth degree Ñ subutex Ñ and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance fifth degree. The NYCO staffer appeared disoriented, botching his address. Meyer advised Cahill, 43, to obtain counsel and he was released on his own recognizance until Tuesday. Eric J. Shaw, 44, was arraigned for same alleged crime as Cahill. The unemployed Ticonderoga resident told Meyer he was on disability. ShawÕ s attorney, Alexander Shmulsky, attempted to negotiate a lower bond for whom he painted as an honest family man. The suspect was reportedly driving to Plattsburgh when he learned he was facing charges, turned around and turned himself in. But after a criminal history was revealed, including a priordrug related conviction, Meyer remanded Shaw to Essex County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond. Christopher J. LaMotte, of Mineville, was brought in on two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance fourth degree Ñ suboxone Ñ and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance fifth degree. An onlooker gasped as the shaggy 19-year-old alledged high
school student was brought into the courtroom. Ò Jesus,Ó she said. LaMotte, who was said to have no immediate family in the area, pled not guilty and was remanded to Essex County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond. Mineville resident Daytona M. Thompson, 34, was nabbed on two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance fourth degree Ñ suboxone Ñ and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance fifth degree. Thompson, who is unemployed and on benefits, was remanded to Essex County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond. Her background also contained a misdemeanor charge of criminal contempt. Suspects in Friday’s countywide drug sweeps shield their faces following their arraignment on felony drug Jessica L. Cossey, 28, is cur- charges at the Essex County Courthouse on Friday, Dec. 12. rently incarcerated in Essex Photo by Pete DeMola County Jail. She was supposed to be rethat dissolve underneath the tongue. leased on Jan. 2. Prescriptions have skyrocketed in the past decade, pushing But she was charged with two counts of criminal sale of a out the previously utilized methadone, which was first develcontrolled substance fourth degree Ñ like the others, allegedly oped in the 1960s. subutex and suboxone Ñ and two counts of criminal possession Ò This region has seen a surge in heroin use in recent years and of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. prescription medication remains a significant problem,” said LaCossey, who is five-months pregnant, was remanded to Essex Fountain. County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond. Doug Terbeek, Director of the Ticonderoga-based Prevention Team, cited a local group that has been meeting for over a year ONGOING PLAGUE with the goal of disseminating info to community members and In June, the state passed a raft of legislation designed to comsupporting law enforcement officials. bat the growing opiate problem. By law, buprenorphine is only supposed to be prescribed in New York State Police Captain Robert LaFountain told the Valcontext of treatment situation, he noted. ley News that his office has received additional resources to fight Since spring, he said his office has seen a decrease in false rethe epidemic. ports of prescription theft. Ò If you look at the charges,Ó he said, Ò you will see prescription Addicts would claim to physicians that their prescriptions had medication and illicit narcotics are still plaguing this area.Ó been stolen with the hopes they would be written a new one. LaFountain said itÕ s a problem that transcends all aspects of But that practice has been curbed. society, whether health or criminal Ò Something says thatÕ s working,Ó he said. State police will continue to work in conjunction with local departments and the District Attorney’s office to address the issue. LaFountain declined to say when the last time a dragnet of LAKE PLACID Ñ The Bookstore Plus will host the Second low-level arrests picked up a big fish. Saturday Storytime Saturday, Jan. 10, at 10 a.m. They will However, he did note that overdoses within Troop B are on the celebrate unicorns with stories and a craft. For more inforrise, doubling since 2012. mation visit thebookstoreplus.com or call 523-2950. Numbers have just started to level off, he said. Following the bundle of bills approved by Gov. Cuomo in June, 161 state troopers now carry naloxone, an overdose antidote, including seven sergeants, one investigator, and one disWILLSBORO Ñ There will be a High Peaks Hospice patcher. Bowling Tournament, adults only, Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Ò It is our hope that our efforts that you witnessed here today Willsborough Bowling Center, at 3922 NYS Rte. 22. Proceeds may save someoneÕ s life,Ó he said. will benefit High Peaks Hospice and Palliative Care. PreregEarlier this week, Ticonderoga Supervisor Bill Grinnell comistration is required. The tourney will consist of two-person plained about what he called Ò drug taxis.Ó Social services recipiteams. The cost is $20 per person or $40 for a team. The regents were using county coin to hire cars to ferry them back and istration deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 20. People can register by forth to stock up on illicit substances, he claimed. signing up at the Willsboro, Mineville, or Ticonderoga bowlAsked about the issue, LaFountain said authorities, including ing alleys or by emailing or calling Ingrid at iroemischer@ the Essex County Sheriff’s Department and the DA’s office, are hphpc.org or 942-6513. looking into their relationship with the Department of Social SerThe three shifts that are available are noon, 3 p.m., and 6 vices. p.m. This nine pin tournament includes a $100 cash prize for Ò Additional charges may be pursued if violations of the law the first place team and $50 for the second place team; buy are established,Ó he said. a strike; shoes and ball; 50/50 raffles; silent auction; and a Shortly afterward, state police said in a statement that an inrefreshment table. vestigation into possible welfare fraud will be conducted by the People can find sponsors for their teams. Sponsor forms District Attorney’s Office, the Essex County Department of Socan be found at highpeakshopice.org under the news and cial Services and the state police to determine if any of the defenevents menu, then click on the upcoming events page or stop dants engaged in additional criminal activity related to public at the Willsboro, Mineville, or Ticonderoga bowling alleys. assistance benefits. Participating agencies in todayÕ s raid included state police, the Essex County SheriffÕ s Department and the Lake Placid, Moriah LONG LAKE Ñ The Town of Long Lake Parks and Recreand Ticonderoga Police Departments. ation Department will be hosting a Snowmobile Safety Class Saturday, Jan. 3, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Long Lake Town THE DRUGS Hall, 1204 Main St. Lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is required by calling 624-3077 ext. 13. There is a limit of 20 students Buprenorphine, which is sold under the brand names subuper class. The class is open for ages 10 and older. A successful tex and suboxone, is an FDA-approved and regulated semi-syncompletion of the course results in the award of a NYS Snowmothetic opioid designed to treat opiate addiction by transitioning bile Safety Certificate. addicts onto a regulated replacement before weaning them off completely. While experts largely agree buprenorphine is an effective treatment against heroin addiction, it also carries a high potenLAKE PLACID Ñ The Bookstore Plus book club will meet tial for misuse. the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the store. The According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, about one January meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 6, and will discuss Ò A Sudmillion Americans are addicted to heroin alone and another 1.4 den LightÓ with the author, Garth Stein, via Skype. Spread million people dependent on or abusing all other opioids. the word and invite a friend. For more information, visit theThe drugs are typically sold in individual packaged film strips bookstoreplus.com or call 523-2950.
Bookstore plus to host storytime
High Peaks prep bowling tourney
Long Lake to offer snowmobiling class
Book club to meet
ESC: Broadway tickets now available
ELIZABETHTOWN Ñ The Elizabethtown Social Center, in conjunction with North Wind Tours, presents a trip to see the Broadway production of the Tony award winning musical, Pippin, at Proctors Theater in Schenectady Sunday, May 31. The cost is $143 per person which includes transportation via deluxe motorcoach, tickets to show, dinner after show. Seats are limited and reservations will be given on a first come, first served basis. For registration and information contact the Social Center at 873-6408 or info@elizabethtownsocialcenter.org.