On Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, at approximately 2:20 a.m., State Police in Lafayette responded to the Byrne Dairy store on Route 20 in Lafayette regarding a suspicious male. When Troopers arrived they discovered a male, later identified as Christopher Monk in the restroom with drug paraphernalia and narcotics.
While taking Congdon into custody, Troopers observed a vehicle in the parking lot with several individuals inside. While walking past the vehicle, they observed drug paraphernalia, including hypodermic needles, inside the car, along with a 3-year-old child sitting in the back seat.
Troopers subsequently arrested the following individuals:
- Christopher D. Monk, 28, from Cortlandville
- Morgan J. Congdon, 28, from Cortland
- Stefanie K. Strauf, 29, from Marathon
- Vincent J. Welshman, 28, from Cortland
All four suspects were charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance seventh degree, Unlawful Dealing with a Child, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class “A” misdemeanors.
- Strauf was arraigned in the town of Lafayette Court and released on her own recognizance and is due back in court Jan. 3, 2018.
- Welshman was arraigned in the town of Lafayette Court and remanded to Onondaga County Justice Center on $500 cash bail/$1,000 bond and is due back in court on Jan. 3, 2017.
- Monk was arraigned in the town of Lafayette Court and remanded to the Onondaga County Justice Center on $2,500 cash bail/$5,000 bond and is due back in court on Jan. 3, 2018.
- Congdon was arraigned in the town of Lafayette Court and remanded to the Onondaga County Justice Center on $500 cash bail/$1,000 bond and is due back in court on Jan. 3, 2018.