NORWICH – Randy R. Buck, Jr., 27, Sherburne, was charged with the class B felony of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, the class E felony of tampering with physical evidence, and the class A misdemeanor of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.
It is alleged Buck knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug with the intent to sell it. Buck allegedly possessed six glassine envelopes containing heroin and intentionally prevented the production of evidence by tossing two bags of heroin out of a car window.
Buck pleaded not guilty to all counts.
District Attorney Joseph McBride said to Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr., “The defendant has been arrested 14 times and is being charged with tampering with physical evidence, which is a serious charge. He is facing substantial jail time. We would request bail be set at 25,000 dollars.”
“He has always made his court appearances,” said Buck's public defender, Linden Summers.
“In the local courts, he has always been released on his own recognizance, and he was released on his own recognizance when he was arraigned for these charges. He was charged with a felony in the local court, for reasons I still do not know. And for reasons I still do not know, the D.A. charged him with criminal possession,” added Summers.
“He is involved with a known drug dealer. ... He is in the business of helping a drug dealer sell a narcotic,” said McBride in response to Summers.
Buck looked as if he was about to protest and his lawyer told him not to say anything.
“He allegedly threw out a few packets of heroin. Someone else was driving and said 'here,' and he threw it out the window. That’s what’s alleged here,” said Summers to Revoir.
Summers also said that Buck has a job doing construction work for someone. The man Buck worked for stood up in the back of the courtroom and told the Judge they were working on a house together.
Revoir then asked the ATI Coordinator, who was present, if he had worked with Buck before. He said he had worked with him briefly through city court.
Revoir then asked McBride what some of Buck's prior charges and convictions were and whether or not there were any felonies.
“There are a couple possessions of a hypodermic needle. He has a possession of a controlled substance in 2012 and possession of a controlled substance in 2010, which was a misdemeanor. He did 270 days for that,” said McBride to Revoir.
“I still do not understand why he was charged with possession of a controlled substance when that was not the original charge. That is a significant change,” said Summers to Revoir.
“You've said that like four times now,” said McBride to Summers.
After all of the discussion and getting more background information on Buck, Revoir decided to set bail at $10,000 cash.
Buck then asked if he could speak on his own behalf and said, “Is there any way I can meet with Mr. Everhart or whoever instead?”
Revoir said that he could meet with the ATI coordinator if Buck somehow made bail and was released.
Buck had tears in his eyes and was looking behind him at his friends and family, who had taken him to court. Buck's girlfriend was crying, and Buck’s employer shook his head and put it in his hands.
“Can I have a cigarette?” Buck asked the court officer as he was putting him in handcuffs. The officer said firmly, “No.”
Buck continued to try to speak and asked if he could talk to the judge for one second.
Revoir said, “I have made my ruling.”
Buck did not stop trying to speak and turned to speak with the judge again. Summers told Buck to stop speaking, and Buck did not listen.
“We are done here, Mr. Buck,” said Revoir. Buck continued to try to plead with anyone who would listen as he was escorted out of the courtroom.
Buck is currently incarcerated at the Chenango County Correctional Facility.