NORWICH— Bronx man accused of selling crack from the Howard Johnson Hotel in Norwich was arraigned on Dec. 5 in Chenango County Court by Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr.
William Rochez, 20, Bronx, was arraigned on the charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a class B felony; criminal nuisance in the first degree, a class E felony; and criminal impersonation in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor.
It is alleged, per the November indictment, on or about June 10 at 4:13 p.m. in Room 123 at the Howard Johnson Hotel located on 75 North Broad St. in the City of Norwich, Rochez, while acting in concert with another, did knowingly and unlawfully possess 15 individually wrapped plastic baggy corner wraps of the narcotic drug cocaine, which he intended to sell.
It is also alleged Rochez did knowingly and unlawfully allow individuals to gather in his hotel room for the purpose of engaging in unlawful sales of controlled substances. Rochez allegedly did benefit monetarily from the controlled substance transactions that took place.
When uniformed police officers asked Rochez his name, he allegedly gave the false name of “Jordan Collins” to avoid being arrested on an active warrant out of the New York City Police Department.
Rochez and his co-defendant were arrested following a complaint to the Norwich City Police Department that the hotel smelled of marijuana. The smell was allegedly coming from Rochez's hotel room.
Police officers found $800 worth of crack cocaine near one of the hotel room beds. Rochez allegedly admitted the crack cocaine was his and said it had been selling for $50 a rock.
Rochez and his co-defendant were remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on June 10 in lieu of a $10,000 cash bail, $20,000 bond or $40,000 real property. Rochez was held for 45 days and released in July because he had not be indicted within that time period.
Rochez pleaded not guilty to all counts at his arraignment on Dec. 5.
First District Attorney Michael D. Ferrarese said bail needed to be set at $10,000 for Rochez since he is an out-of-town resident, faces a prison sentence, and his attendance in future court dates needs to be ensured. He also said he was “a drug dealer, not a drug user.”
Rochez's public defender, John Cameron, argued that Rochez had taken a bus from the Bronx –where he lives with his family– to attend his arraignment. He also said Rochez has a full-time job at his family's business, The Honduras Shipping Company, which he started after being released in July.
“I am confident he will appear,” Cameron said.
“If he has a job, then good. He should have some money to post bail,” Ferrarese said.
Cameron said Rochez does not have the kind of job to be able to post a bail of $10,000. “There is no reason why any bail should be set,” Cameron said.
Ferrarese said Rochez does have failure to appears out of the county he resides in.
“Well, maybe he is more mature now. He took a bus to get here, judge,” Cameron said.
Revoir remanded Rochez to the county jail on a $5,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond.
Rochez spoke loud enough for Revoir to hear him tell Cameron that he did everything he was supposed to do in order to make it to the arraignment. “I saved money to take a bus up here,” Rochez said to Cameron.
“We are concluded on this matter,” Revoir said.
Rochez will appear in court at a later date.