NORWICH – A Syracuse man who admitted to possessing narcotics in Chenango County with the intention of selling them was sentenced Monday in county court, while another man convicted of grand larceny and forgery was sentenced to probation. In addition, two warrants were issued for no shows.
• Marvelous C. Williams, 26, of Syracuse, was sentenced to a two year determinate sentence in state prison and a court order was issued stating he be allowed to participate in the New York State Department of Correction’s Shock program while incarcerated – a military type program for drug addicts. On April 30, Williams pleaded guilty to third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony.
When Williams pleaded guilty in April, it was necessary for him to state and record certain clarifications due to the unusual circumstances of his arrest. Chenango County Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. requested that Williams acknowledge for the record that he had indeed possessed narcotics at the time of his arrest, despite the drugs not being found on his person. Instead, a number the individually wrapped packets were discovered by sheriff’s deputies within an unmarked police cruiser in which Williams had been transported. It is believed that while Williams was being transported in the vehicle he had extracted the drugs from a hidden location on his person and concealed them within cushions of the police vehicle.
Prior to sentencing, Chenango County First Assistant District Attorney Stephen Dunshee and Williams’ defense attorney, F. Paul Battisti briefly argued two separate matters.
The first subject to be explored was the forfeiture of $800 in cash which was confiscated at the time of Williams’ arrest and subsequently held as evidence. While Dunshee pointed out the cash was an abnormal quantity for a individual to be carrying and was most likely linked directly to Williams’ illicit dealings, Battisti argued the matter of the cash had not been addressed in the plea agreement and should therefore be returned. After consideration it was determined the money would be repossessed on Williams’ behalf by his girlfriend as no specific term of the agreement addressed it and money in and of itself is not considered contraband.
The second issue considered prior to sentencing was a request by the defense for Williams to be considered for the New York State Department of Correction’s Willard program – a 90-day intensive drug treatment program. Following an intense argument between the prosecutor and the defense, Williams spoke on his own behalf.
“I would like to apologize to the people of Chenango County and the court,” he said. “I am a drug addict and I need help for my addiction.”
Williams was subsequently sentenced to a two year stint in state prison, as per the stipulations of the agreed upon plea bargain.
• Timothy P. McCarthy, 34, of New Berlin, was sentenced to two five-year probation periods to run concurrent for fourth degree grand larceny and second degree forgery after having previously plead guilty to both charges. He was also ordered to pay a total of $1,185.80 in restitution to seven separate victims.
• Two individuals scheduled to appear in court for arraignments following grand jury indictments last week did not show up in court.
A warrant was issued for Tafari J. Simmons, 19, of Brooklyn, indicted on two counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and one count of fourth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
A warrant was also issued for Kyle W. Braman, 28, of Binghamton, who was indicted on charges of second degree rape, second degree criminal sexual act and endangering the welfare of a child.