Press Release:
Roy A. Newton, 44 of Perry, was arrested and is facing
felony drug charges following a traffic stop on Simmons Road in the Town of
Perry. Newton was stopped for speeding
on Simmons Road near LaGrange Road.
Newton allegedly exhibited multiple signs of drug use, and following a
poor performance on field sobriety testing Newton was taken into custody. Newton was found to be in possession of eight
Morphine pills, 7.3 grams of concentrated cannabis (a controlled substance otherwise
known as “dabbing oil”), and other drug paraphernalia. The aggregate weight of the concentrated
cannabis elevated the drug possession charge to a felony, and Newton was also
determined to have possessed the concentrated cannabis with intent to sell
it. Newton was taken to the Wyoming
County Sheriff’s Office where he underwent a drug influence evaluation by a
drug recognition expert, and Newton was found to be impaired by Narcotics and
Cannabis.
Newton was charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of
a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, D Felonies. Newton was charged with misdemeanor counts of
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, Driving
While Ability Impaired by Drugs, and Driving While Ability Impaired by the
Combined Influence of Drugs. Newton was
also cited for two traffic infractions, speed over 55 and illegal window
tint. Newton was arraigned in the Town
of Perry Court where bail was set at $5,000.00 cash or $10,000.00 bond. Newton was scheduled to return to the Town of
Perry Court on April 5, 2017 for further proceedings.
Two Town of Eagle residents are facing numerous drug related
charges following a joint investigation between the Wyoming County Jail and
Road divisions.
On March 12th, 2017, Melissa M. Preen, 25, was stopped on
Route 19 in the Town of Warsaw for an inspection violation. Preen was found to
be driving while her license was suspended from the Town of Castile Court and
showed signs of drug use. Following a roadside investigation and field sobriety
testing, Preen was placed under arrest for driving while impaired by drugs.
Preen was transported to the Wyoming County Jail for a breath test, and while
being searched by Corrections Officers, Preen was allegedly found to be concealing
numerous hypodermic needles, drug paraphernalia, cocaine, and heroin on her
person in a concealed area.
Preen then submitted to a drug influence evaluation by a
certified Drug Recognition Expert and found to be impaired by the use of
multiple substances. During the investigation,
it was determined that Preen was in possession of the narcotics with intent to
sell them to Richard Gargula, who was at the time incarcerated in the Wyoming
County Jail as an inmate.
Preen was charged with numerous vehicle and traffic violations,
the misdemeanors of aggravated unlicensed operation in the third, driving while
ability impaired by a drug, driving while ability impaired by the combination
of drugs, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, and two counts of
criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd with intent to sell, a class
B felony. Preen also obtained a charge
of introduction of dangerous contraband into a Jail 1st, a class D felony.
Preen was arraigned in the Town of Warsaw Court and remanded on $5,000 cash
bail or $10,000 bond.
On March 19th, Richard Gargula, 33, was charged regarding
the Preen incident, with criminal solicitation 4th, for soliciting Preen to
commit the felony of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd.
At the time of Gargula’s arrest, he was incarcerated within
the Wyoming County Jail as an inmate. Gargula’s personal belongings were
searched by Wyoming County Jail staff and a narcotic preparation was located
within his clothing.
Gargula was additionally charged with introduction of dangerous
contraband in the first degree, a class D felony, and criminal possession of a
controlled substance 5th- more than 500mg of cocaine, also a D felony.
Gargula was transported to the Village of Warsaw Court for
two arraignments. Gargula was remanded with $1,000 cash or $2,000 bond for the
solicitation charge and $10,000 cash and $20,000 bond for the felony charges.
Both Preen and Gargula will answer the charges in Town and
Village Court at a later date.
