Nine people busted in Essex County raid

By LOHR McKINSTRY
Staff Writer

June 23, 2009 01:42 pm

— TICONDEROGA — An early morning raid by the Essex County Drug Task Force swept up nine people Tuesday who were charged with selling drugs in the Ticonderoga area.
Arrests were made in Ticonderoga, Moriah and Jay, with seven suspects arraigned in Ticonderoga Town Court and sent to the Essex County Jail.
Witnesses said the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, State Police and Ticonderoga Town Police were seen rushing into buildings on Montcalm Street and Champlain Avenue in Ticonderoga at dawn, bringing out suspects in handcuffs.
Police seized cocaine, heroin and prescription drugs during the raid, and more arrests are pending. Seven of those arrested were from Ticonderoga, with one each from Moriah and Peru.
Bureau of Criminal Investigation Lt. Brent M. Davison said the raid was the climax to a long investigation.
“The Essex County Drug Task Force concluded a long-term investigation into the illegal sale of drugs in Essex County. Arrest warrants were served on several subjects involved in the illegal sale of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and prescription medication.”
The arrests were the result of a confidential informant making drug purchases in the Ticonderoga area for several months, police said, often acting on tips police received.
Essex County District Attorney Julie Garcia said they’re thankful for the people who called in tips that drug sales were taking place.
“The public has steadily sent us information that has been useful. Many of the tips we get are from concerned citizens. We’re able to act on the information that they provide to us.”
People charged with the sale of controlled substances were:
Jason M. Cobb, 26, of Ticonderoga: Two counts of felony third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and the violation of unlawful possession of marijuana for allegedly having it in his possession when he was arrested. Cobb was arraigned Ticonderoga Town Court and sent to Essex County Jail when he couldn’t pay $15,000 bail or $30,000 bond.
Steven E. Cobb, 28, of Ticonderoga: Two counts of felony third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. He was arraigned in Jay Town Court and sent to Essex County Jail without bail.
Jason and Steven Cobb are brothers.
Connie F. Cleveland, 43, of Ticonderoga: Two counts of felony fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. She was arraigned in Ticonderoga Court and sent to Essex County Jail when she couldn’t pay $1,500 bail or $3,000 bond.
Timothy D. McDougal, 24, of Ticonderoga: Two counts of felony third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. McDougal was arraigned in Ticonderoga Court and sent to Essex County Jail for not paying $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bond.
Barbara G. Cogswell, 46, of Ticonderoga: Two counts of felony fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. She was arraigned Ticonderoga Court and sent to Essex County Jail for not paying $1,500 bail or $3,000 bond.
Matthew G. Porter, 25, of Ticonderoga: Felony fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Porter was arraigned Ticonderoga Court and sent to Essex County Jail when he couldn’t pay $1,500 cash bail or $3,000 bond.
Donald S. Harrington, 35, of Ticonderoga: Felony third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Harrington was arraigned Ticonderoga Court and sent to Essex County Jail when he couldn’t pay $1,500 cash bail or $3,000 bond.
Leon J. Taylor, 51, of Moriah: Two counts of felony third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and the violation of unlawful possession of marijuana for allegedly having it in his possession when he was arrested. Taylor was arraigned in Moriah Town Court and sent to Essex County Jail for not paying of $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bond.
Dillon J. West, 22, of Peru: Two counts of felony third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and one count of felony fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Taylor was arraigned in Jay Town Court and sent to Essex County Jail for not paying of $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bond.
Members of the Essex County Drug Task Force are the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, State Police, Ticonderoga Town Police, the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Lake Placid Village Police and Saranac Lake Village Police.

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at:
lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com