On Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, following a very lengthy investigation into illegal drug activity, a search warrant was executed at 221/223 N. Broad St. The New York State Police SORT team made entry into the apartments at the home, and took numerous individuals into custody.
Evidence of methamphetamine manufacturing and other drug activity was located within the home. There were also children located in the apartment so they were taken to the Oneida Healthcare Center via ambulance for evaluation and CPS investigation.
The state Police Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team also responded to mitigate the scene and collect hazardous materials and evidence.
Subsequent investigation led to the discovery of a quantity of methamphetamine product with a street value of about $3,500. Following the investigation, the Oneida City Police have charged the following suspects with the following charges:
Robert Klein, 29, of N. Broad St, was charged with:
- One count of criminal possession of a controlled substance second (class A-II felony)
- One count of unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine third (class D felony)
- One count of criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (class E felony)
- One count of unlawful disposal of methamphetamine laboratory materials (class E felony)
- One count of criminal possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials second (A misdemeanor)
- One count of criminal possession of a controlled substance seventh (A misdemeanor)
- One count of reckless endangerment second (A misdemeanor)
- Two counts of endangering the welfare of a child (A misdemeanors)
Morries Briggs, 51, of N. Broad St, was charged with:
- One count of criminal possession of a controlled substance seventh (class A misdemeanor)
- One count of criminal facilitation fourth (class A misdemeanor)
Samantha Ortman, 26, of N. Broad St, was charged with:
- One count of criminal possession of a controlled substance seventh (class A misdemeanor)
- One count of criminal facilitation fourth (class A misdemeanor)
Rikki Sochia, 28, of N. Broad St, was charged with:
- One count of criminal possession of a controlled substance seventh (class A misdemeanor)
- One count of criminal facilitation fourth (class A misdemeanor)
- Two counts of endangering the welfare of a child (A misdemeanors)
All suspects were arraigned before the Oneida City Court.
- Robert Klein was remanded to the Madison County Jail without bail/bond.
- Morries Briggs was remanded to the Madison County Jail in lieu of $1000 bail/ $2000 bond.
- Samantha Ortman and Rikki Sochia were arraigned and sent to the Probation Department for supervised ROR. All suspected were ordered to reappear before the Oneida City Court Jan. 26, 2018.
In addition to the New York State Police SORT and CCSERT teams, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Child Protective Services, and the Oneida City Fire Department also assisted.
Due to the proximity to the North Broad Street Elementary School, we made arrangements to alter the bus routes for the students arriving to school. The scene was determined to be safe prior to school opening; therefore, no children at the school were deemed to be in any danger during the mitigation and evidence collection process at the scene.