On May 5 at approximately 11:50 a.m., State Police stopped a vehicle on Beef Street in the town of Onondaga for a traffic violation. While speaking with the operator, Thomas J. Szpak, 28, of Beef Street, Syracuse, and passenger Jodie A. Kemblowski, 26, of Stump Road, Marcellus, troopers observed signs of heroin use within the vehicle.
A 4-year-old child was also present in the back seat of the vehicle. Further investigation revealed Kemblowski and Szpak were both in possession of heroin and multiple hypodermic needles, and the vehicle contained several bags of heroin scattered within reach of the child.
The child was turned over to a family member at the scene, and Kemblowski and Szpak were taken into custody and transported to SP Elbridge.
Kemblowski and Szpak were each charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hypodermic instrument and endangering the welfare of a child, all class A misdemeanors. Both parties are scheduled to return to Onondaga Town Court May 11.