LEEDS — A man and a woman from Ulster County were arrested on multiple felony drug possession charges following a traffic stop over the weekend in Leeds, said Steven Nevel, public information officer for state police Troop F.
Isaac Falcon, 41, and Gabrielle Perea, 35, both of Lake Katrine, were in possession of a variety of illegal drugs, Nevel said Monday.
On Saturday, at about 1:06 p.m. troopers patrolling in Leeds saw a 2000 Mercury Sable being driven north on Green Lake Road in violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic law, Nevel said.
Police pulled the vehicle over and identified the driver as Falcon. While speaking with Falcon, the trooper saw what appeared to be narcotics in the vehicle, Nevel said.
Falcon and his passenger, Perea, were then asked to get out of the vehicle.
While speaking with Perea, the trooper learned that she was in possession of Oxycodone, Nevel said.
A search of the vehicle yielded crack-cocaine and approximately 16 grams of Oxycodone and amphetamines and 489 grams of marijuana, Nevel said.
Falcon and Perea were subsequently arrested and charged with three counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. One of those counts was with intent to sell, all class D felonies, two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of cannabis and endangering the welfare of a child, all class A misdemeanors, Nevel said.
The child endangerment charge was prompted by the presence of a minor in the vehicle during the arrest, Nevel said.
Perea and Falcon were arraigned in Town of Catskill Court before Justice William Jacobs. Both were released on their own recognizance to appear in court Aug. 11.
New York Penal Law defines fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance as knowingly and unlawfully possessing a controlled substance with intent to sell it or one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic preparation and said preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances are of an aggregate weight of one-half ounce or more.
If the defendant is found guilty in court, the maximum sentence is seven years in prison.
Endangering the welfare of a child is defined as knowingly acting in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child less than seventeen years old, or directing or authorizing such child to engage in an occupation involving a substantial risk of danger to his life or health.
If found guilty on this charge, the punishment is up to one year in jail, plus probation.