On Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, at approximately 11 a.m., State Police stopped a vehicle on Van Rensselaer Street in the City of Syracuse for a traffic violation. Troopers immediately observed heroin paraphernalia within the vehicle. It was determined that the operator, Thomas J. Knopp, Jr., of Cherry Street, Phoenix, was operating with a revoked license. Knopp was processed at the scene and released to a third party.
Further investigation revealed additional heroin and hypodermic needles hidden inside the vehicle. It was determined that the heroin and hypodermic needles located all belonged to the front-seat passenger, 29-year-old Joshua Baez-Arnold of 42 Senior Ave. Fulton.
When attempting to confirm his identity, Baez-Arnold provided Troopers with two false identities. He was then taken into custody and transported to SP North Syracuse where he was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal impersonation, one count of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and possession of a hypodermic instrument, all class “A” misdemeanors.
Information was obtained that Baez-Arnold had multiple outstanding warrants in Oswego County and was transported to the Onondaga County Justice Center to be held pending arraignment. While being processed at the Justice Center, Sheriff Deputies located crack cocaine secreted within a body cavity.
Baez-Arnold was additionally charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and first-degree promoting prison contraband, both class “D” felonies. He was held pending arraignment in Syracuse.