AVON/VILLAGE OF GENESEO: Livingston County Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of an Olean resident on felony tampering charges after an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.
On July 29, 2019 at approximately 9:45 a.m., Sergeant Joseph Breu was patrolling on Lakeville Road in the town of Avon when he observed a suspicious vehicle in a parking area. While the Sergeant was checking on the vehicle, he suspected that the occupants were involved in drug activity and began a drug investigation.
It is alleged that during the investigation a passenger in the vehicle, 26-year-old Samantha M. Cossairt attempted to hide numerous hypodermic needles in the vehicle to avoid detection by the investigating Sergeant. It was also found that Cossairt had an active court issued order of protection against her and that the protected party was also in the vehicle. Cossairt was arrested and charged with felony Tampering with Physical Evidence, Criminal Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument, and Criminal Contempt in the 2nd Degree.
It is also alleged that while Cossairt was being booked into the jail, she again allegedly tampered with evidence when she swallowed drugs that she had concealed on herself. Cossairt was arrested on an additional charge of felony Tampering with Physical Evidence. Cossairt was taken to the hospital for medical treatment as a result of the concealment. The District Attorney’s Office was also contacted on the new felony charges for a bail recommendation. It was recommended that Cossairt be held on an additional $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.
After her release from the hospital, Cossairt was arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part (LC-CAP) at the Livingston County Jail before Town of York Judge Thomas Porter. The Judge did remand Cossairt to the custody of the Sheriff on the recommended bail of $4,000 cash or $5,000 bond for the initial charges and $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond on the additional charge.
Assisting with the investigation from the Criminal Investigations and Patrol Division were Investigator Joshua Monster, Investigator Daniel Rittenhouse, and Deputy Martin Herkimer. Assisting from the Jail Division was Corporal Michael Malone, Deputy Heather Benjamin, and Deputy Patricia Rose.
