INTERSTATE 390- Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of two Steuben County residents on felony charges following an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.
On April 12th, 2024, Sheriff’s Investigator Shawn Whitford was working with the Highway Patrol Unit when he conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 390 in the Town of Avon for a violation of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic law. The Investigator
suspected that there was drug activity in the vehicle and conducted a drug investigation.
The operator of the vehicle was identified as 44 year-old Barclay Cooke, and the passenger was identified as 43 year-old Kristy Smallwood, both of Hornell NY. The roadside investigation alleges that both were in possession of felony amounts
of powder and crack cocaine.
Cooke was arrested and charged with felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree and felony Tampering with Physical Evidence.
Smallwood was arrested and charged with felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree.
Cooke and Smallwood were transported and turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for
processing. The District Attorney’s Office was contacted in regards to bail due to the felony level charges. It was recommended that both be released on their own recognizance, as the offenses did not qualify for bail to be set under the NYS Justice Reform Act.
Cooke and Smallwood were both issued appearance tickets and released from custody.
The investigation was handled by Investigator Shawn Whitford of the Criminal Investigations Division and Deputy Jerry Pilkenton of the Patrol Division
