All of the arrests occurred on Saturday June 1, 2019. Three out of the four visitors had Synthetic Marijuana, commonly known as K2, on them. One female arrested had brought two young children with her and was charged additionally with Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
- At 11:00 a.m. the K9 alerted to a 39-year-old female from Brooklyn who was at the facility to visit a friend. During questioning, she voluntarily turned over two condoms that contained 22 grams of K2. She was arrested for Promoting Prison Contraband 1st and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.
- At 12:30 p.m. the K9 and his handler were conducting a random search when the K9 alerted to a 29- year-old male from Rochester. During questioning he turned over a black balloon from the back of his pants. It contained marijuana. He was arrested for Promoting Prison Contraband 2nd and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.
- At 12:55 p.m. the K9 alerted to a Utica woman who was at the facility to visit a friend. During questioning she turned over two balloons that were wrapped in cellophane. The balloons contained 29 grams of K2. She was arrested for Promoting Prison Contraband 1st and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.
- At 1:50 p.m. the K9 alerted to a Buffalo woman who had brought an inmate’s two young children with her to visit. During questioning the woman turned over two plastic wrapped packages that contained 21 grams of K2. She was arrested for Promoting Prison Contraband 1st, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The children were turned over to Child Protection Services.
The contraband was placed into evidence. The four suspects were transported to the New York State Police Barracks in Moravia for processing. “Four drug arrests in less than three hours in one day in one facility presents a clear picture of the amount of contraband that is attempted to be brought in every day by visitors. The K9’s, their handlers and the investigators are doing an excellent job in detecting drugs being carried into the prisons by visitors. But their resources are limited and they simply cannot stop all the drugs being brought in. The following day, a 45 year old inmate was caught 18 grams of K2 during a drug investigation, which shows you the drugs are still making their way inside. Instead of doing random searches, the administration must recognize the need to provide every facility with a K9 to help stem the flow of drugs. Until then, it will continue to be an uphill battle.“ – stated Joe Miano, Western Region Vice President.
