Members of the Chittenango Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit worked jointly to arrest several people on drug charges. On October 26th, the Chittenango Police Department received a complaint of narcotics activity and sales at 343 South Webber Drive.
Later in the day, members of the sheriff’s office initiated a traffic stop on Ronnie Lewis, 42, of Utica. Lewis was found to be in possession of 5 grams of crack cocaine and was subsequently arrested and charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (class B felony), fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (class D felony) and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (class A misdemeanor).
The Chittenango Police Department executed a search warrant at 343 South Webber Drive and arrested four more suspects.
- Zachary Dryer, 23, of 343 S Webber Dr, Chittenango, was arrested and charged with fourth-degree conspiracy (class E felony), seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (class A misdemeanor) and unlawful possession of marijuana (violation).
- Jill Tuten, 44, of 343 S Webber Dr, Chittenango, was arrested and charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (class A misdemeanor).
- Michelle Cockrum, 36, of 343 S Webber Dr, Chittenango, was arrested and charged with fourth-degree conspiracy (class E felony), seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (class A misdemeanor) and first-degree criminal nuisance (class E felony).
- Jordan Pallotta, 28, of 38 White St, New York Mills, was arrested and charged with tampering with physical evidence (class E felony) petit larceny (class A misdemeanor), fourth-degree conspiracy (class E felony), seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (class A misdemeanor) and unlawful possession of marijuana (violation).
First court appearances
- Lewis was arraigned at Chittenango Village Court and remanded to the Madison County Jail without bail.
- Pallotta was arraigned at Chittenango Village Court and remanded to the Madison County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond.
- Dryer was arraigned at Chittenango Village Court and remanded to the Madison County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond.
- Tuten was arraigned at Chittenango Village Court and remanded to the Madison County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail or $1,500 bond. Cockrum was arraigned at Chittenango Village Court and remanded to the Madison County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond.
All suspects are scheduled to appear at the Chittenango Village Court at a later date.
Acting Sheriff John Ball said existing interagency cooperation is of critical importance to combat our common enemy – drugs – in the community.