After an 18-month investigation beginning in March of 2016, the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT) has made 14 arrests connected to a heroin distribution ring that stretched from New Jersey to Ulster and Delaware counties.
According to Hudson Valley News Network, Courtney Williamson, 25, of New Jersey was responsible for the transport of 800 to 1,000 bags of heroin to Ulster County every three days. She directed the ring and hired people to transport the substance from New Jersey to Ulster and Delaware counties.
URGENT is a task force of members from sheriff’s office and local police agencies within the county; they identified these traffickers and targeted them to support a case against Williamson. Williamson was charged with the following according to Hudson Valley News Network:
“…the felonies of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (four counts), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (three counts) and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. She was additionally charged in Ulster County with the same offenses.”
Williamson was arrested in Delaware County by members of URGENT and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit on an indictment warrant issued by the Delaware County Court.
In 2016, there were 134 overdoses in Ulster County alone as presented by County Legislator Mary Wawro in a meeting of Ulster County Coalition Against Narcotics in March, according to Hudson Valley One. Of the 134 overdoses, 26 of them were fatal; there were seven non-fatal overdoses and one fatal overdose in New Paltz that same year.
Approximately two thirds of overdose cases in Ulster County were males between the ages of 20 and 29. Most of the female cases were prevalent in women ages 30 to 39.
As with any opiate, the most common signs of heroin abuse include euphoria, drowsiness, lethargy and mellowness.
According to a report released by the Rockefeller Institute of Government in April, deaths from drug overdoses and chronic drug abuse in New York saw a 71 percent increase between 2010 and 2015. Additionally, the bulk of the problem is seen in suburban and upstate counties rather than New York City where a 45 percent increase was seen compared to an 84 percent increase elsewhere.
According to the report, heroin-related deaths in Ulster County increased 133 percent between 2010 and 2015. According to an article that appeared in The Oracle in May 2017, New Paltz Police Chief Joe Snyder said that the New Paltz Police Department (NPPD) is working with the Police Chiefs’ Association of Ulster County, an association of law enforcement officers and their supporters formed on Feb. 23, 1973 to promote excellence and professionalism in police work. Its was intended to gather more information on overdose cases as well as to have a better idea on who the users are based on age, gender, culture and other various factors.
The association is also working to identify what is being mixed with heroin that is causing an increase in death and overdose rates.
“Drug dealers want to make money, so in order to keep prices low and still make a big profit, they cut or blend other substances with the heroin to increase their profit however, what they are using to mix with the heroin can be more deadly than the heroin itself,” Snyder said according to The Oracle. “This is where we are seeing an increase in overdose cases.”
In the months following Williamson’s apprehension, the following arrests have been made according to Hudson Valley New Network:
John V. Judson, 27, of Kingston, for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (four counts) and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (four counts). Jon M. Hutton, 22, of Rosendale, for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (three counts) and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (three counts). Michael E. McCallion, 32, of Olive, for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (two counts) and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (two counts).
Maria I. Otero, 25, of Kingston, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. Angelo Romanelli, 25, of Kingston, for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (two counts), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (four counts) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Vanessa L. Coddington, 28, of Kingston, for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (two counts) and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (two counts).
Shaelyn A. Every, 22, of Kingston, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (two counts), Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Christopher R. Blagbrough, 27, of Kingston, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree and Criminally Possessing a Hypodermic Instrument. Akeem Smith, 33, of Freeport (Long Island), for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (two counts), Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Chuck J. Fronckowiak, 35, of Fleischmanns, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (two counts). Timothy D. Crowley, 21, of Kingston, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. A 39-year-old Brooklyn resident for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree – misdemeanor.
Lyithbrandon K. Gill, 24, of New York City, for felony Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree.