NORWICH – A New Berlin couple have been arrained in Chenango County Court after allegations that they were “running a drug house,” according to District Attorney Joseph McBride.
Alan L. Crisell, 31 of New Berlin, was arraigned for class E felony nuisance in first degree. Crisell pleaded not guilty.
“This defendant was running a drug house out of his home in South New Berlin. The alleged drug dealer is in jail. He was bringing drugs from out of town,” said McBride. “He also has a welfare fraud conviction out of Norwich. I would ask that a reasonable bail is set, Judge.”
“My client is marginally employed (locally), has a wife and a long-term residence in the area. They weren’t bringing drug dealers from out of town. It may have been an error in judgment for them to associate with this individual,” said Crisell’s public defender, David Sonn.
“We ask that we get a pre-plea to justify my client’s position this case. He and his wife never sold drugs.”
Judge Revoir said that even when he looked into the background of Crisell’s case in the most favorable light, it does not look good.
“They each made a statement saying that they brought drug dealers from Utica and Syracuse for the specific purpose of selling drugs,” said Revoir.
“If my client has made those statements, I stand corrected,” said Sonn.
Revoir set bail at $5,000 cash bail and $50,000 bond.
Crisell was handcuffed and taken from the courtroom and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility. His wife was waiting outside the courtroom to go before the Judge for the same charge.
Crisell will reappear in court and a later date.
Jessica M. Crisell, 33, New Berlin, was arraigned for the class E felony of nuisance in the first degree. Crisell, like her husband, pleaded not guilty.
“This defendant was also running a drug house out of South New Berlin. She is the previous defendant’s wife. She was using drugs and the alleged drug dealers were selling from her home. She also had some bad check cases in the past,” said McBride.
“I would ask that we set a reasonable bail for this defendant as well, Judge.”
“She is not a flight risk, Judge,” said Crisell’s public defender, James Chamberlain.
Crisell told the Judge she has dogs and a home to take care of, even though she is currently unemployed and on unemployment.
Revoir set the same bail and bond for Crisell as he did for her husband, $5,000 cash bail and $50,000 bond.
“Judge, my client is under medical care for having back surgery. She has a doctor’s appointment on Mon. She needs to stay out of jail in order to attend to her physical health and make her medical appointments,” said Chamberlain.
Revoir hesitated and looked over his paperwork before asking Crisell what type of doctor she sees and where she has to go for her appointments.
“I go to a neurosurgical group,” said Crisell.
“I am going to keep the bail at $5,000 bail and $50,000 bond. They can make arrangements. I occasionally allow inmates to be taken to a specialist appointment. I will make sure we get you taken care of.”
When ask if he wanted pre-plea form, Chamberlain laughed and said, “Well, I was thinking that, but now I am thinking about something entirely different,” indicating that he was not expecting his client to go jail.
“Did the husband get the same?” said Chamberlain to McBride. McBride nodded in response.
Like her husband, Crisell was handcuffed and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility.
Crisell will reappear in court and a later date.