NORWICH – A man accused of having thousands of dollars in drugs in his possession when his car was pulled over last year changed his plea to guilty in a Supreme Court hearing Wednesday.
Shane M. Manwarren, 16 Hayes St., Norwich, pleaded guilty to third degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class C felony, before Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dowd.
The defendant took a plea deal handed down from the Chenango County District Attorney’s office that will sentence him to three years in a state prison, three years post-release supervision, various surcharges, DNA sampling and a court fee. He will waive his right to appeal and lose his license for six months.
Manwarren, who was pulled over for driving without a license, was originally charged, along with his wife Stephanie, after a search of their vehicle discovered more than $6,400 worth of drugs. Manwarren has been incarcerated since Dec. 7, 2007.
After searching the vehicle, police reportedly found marijuana and pills in the false bottom of a Red Bull can that the Sheriff’s Office said had been specifically altered to prevent its detection from law enforcement. Police also seized four ounces of powdered cocaine from their sport utility vehicle.
District Attorney Joseph McBride spoke briefly to the court about the case, telling how the defendant tried to conceal the drugs, humiliated his wife and built up an extensive rap sheet over the course of years.
Manwarren previously served state prison time for burglary and criminal possession of stolen property.
The Manwarrens were officially charged with third and fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (B and D felonies). The couple was also charged with a class A misdemeanor, fifth degree criminal possession of marijuana.
Following a search and seizure of the vehicle, a search warrant was obtained for the couple’s residence in the Town of Columbus, where additional marijuana and packaging materials were found.