By DIANE VALDEN
GALLATIN—Two individuals were indicted on charges related to the illegal possession of weapons and drugs, according to a press release from District Attorney Chris Liberati-Conant.
March 15 a Columbia County grand jury indicted David Passeri, 60, of Pine Plains on 17 counts involving the criminal possession of weapons and Daryl Thrasher, 52, of Poughkeepsie on three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Mr. Passeri was arrested and arraigned on a sealed indictment before County Court Judge Michael Howard. He was sent to the jail on a $1,000 cash/bond or a $1,500 partially secured bond. Mr. Thrasher was also arraigned in front of Judge Howard on an open indictment. He was sent to jail without bond.
In the sealed indictment, Mr. Passeri is charged with allegedly illegally possessing 15 firearms. The weapons were found January 19 at his home on Sigler Road in Gallatin. Among the seized weapons were two semi-automatic style rifles with no serial numbers. These guns, referred to by police as “ghost” weapons, as well as the items seized in connection with the firearms, indicate that the defendant was involved in the process of manufacturing weapons, Chief Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Botts said in the release.
In addition to the guns, numerous magazines, boxes of ammunition and tools to manufacture weapons were also seized by police. The indictment includes one charge of first degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class B felony; second degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class C felony, and 15 counts of criminal possession of a firearm, a class E felony.
Mr. Passeri faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in state prison with 5 years post-release supervision, Ms. Botts said.
Mr. Thrasher faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in state prison with 5 years post-release supervision on one class A-II drug felony and two class B drug felonies, she said. The charges stem from an incident in late February in Hudson where Mr. Thrasher was arrested for cocaine and heroin possession with the intent to sell, according to the indictment.
Both defendants are scheduled to return to County Court April 24. Mr. Thrasher is represented by the public defender’s office while Mr. Passeri plans to hire attorney Richard Osofsky of Pine Plains, Ms. Botts said.
“Of course, the defendants here are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and I can’t comment on the individual facts of these cases, but drug traffickers, illegal weapons manufacturers, and all who threaten the safety of the people of this county with illegal weapons and poison take notice. You will be arrested and you will be prosecuted,” District Attorney Liberati-Conant said in the release.
Chief ADA Botts will lead the prosecution of the indicted defendants. The defendants in these cases were indicted following investigation by State Police Troop K Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Task Force (VGNET) and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com.
Three felons pleaded guilty in county court
HUDSON—Three felony cases were resolved by plea April 5, as the defendants accepted responsibility in Columbia County Court before Judge Brian Herman, according to a press release from District Attorney Chris Liberati-Conant.
“My office worked closely with law enforcement to achieve justice and meaningful punishment in each of these cases. By removing from the street illegal drugs and guns, and the people who traffic in them, we have together made Columbia County safer. I am particularly pleased with the conviction of Ethan Reck for possession of child pornography. Mr. Reck was on probation for possession of child pornography when he obtained and possessed further images depicting the sexual abuse of children. He now will appropriately serve two-to-four years in state prison and was terminated from probation,” DA Liberati-Conant said in the release.
The following defendants pleaded guilty in Columbia County Court:
*Michael West, 32, of Hudson pleaded guilty to one count of third degree burglary in connection with the illegal entry into a home on Stone Mill Road in the Town of Claverack. He will be sentenced by Judge Herman to two-to-four years in state prison. Sentencing is set for May 17.
Police reports show Mr. West entered the unoccupied home while on the lam from police after escaping custody by jumping out a window during an August 15, 2023 town court appearance. According to police, he broke into the home and worked his way through the homeowners’ closets and liquor supply, leaving behind an empty vodka and tequila bottle. After leaving the home, he was found by police in an extremely intoxicated state. At the time of his escape, records show Mr. West was appearing in court on a warrant to answer assault charges for a domestic incident that allegedly took place in Hudson in July 2023.
*Antonio McCalop, 43, of Hudson pleaded guilty to one count of second degree criminal possession of weapon following an investigation into his involvement in the illegal sale of drugs. He will be sentenced by Judge Herman to eight years in prison, followed by five years’ post-release conviction. He was also ordered to forfeit $9,840 of illegally-gotten proceeds. Sentencing is set for May 17.
Police records show that in December State Police, working with Hudson City Police, executed a search warrant at Mr. McCalop’s Columbia Street apartment and found two loaded guns along with crack cocaine, cash and a digital scale.
*Ethan R. Reck, 28, of Chatham entered a plea of guilty to one count of possessing a sexual performance by a child before Judge Herman. He will be sentenced to two-to-four years in prison. Sentencing is set for May 17.
Mr. Reck, a registered sex offender, was arrested in December following an investigation by the State Police. He originally faced a total of five counts of possession of child pornography. At the time of arrest, he was living in the Town of Canaan and was on probation for 10 years following a 2017 conviction for possession of child pornography in Columbia County. His probation was set to end in 2027.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Botts led the prosecution on all cases. The defendants were represented by the public defender’s office.
Panel discusses overdose & fentanyl crisis
VALATIE—Assemblyman Scott Bendett (R-107th), in conjunction with Senator Michelle Hinchey (D-41st), Columbia County Sheriff Donald Krapf and Dr. William Murphy, host an open panel discussion on the current opioid crisis. The event takes place in the Ichabod Crane High School Auditorium, 2910 US-9, Valatie, Friday, April 12, 3 to 5 p.m.
The panel will discuss the practical experiences of those on the front lines of the overdose and fentanyl crisis in an effort to translate them into legislative solutions.
Topics will include but are not limited to addiction, resources and treatment. Professionals from the fields of medicine, therapy, emergency response, law enforcement and education, as well as impacted family members and those in recovery, are encouraged to join. For more information contact Nic Crocitto at niccrocitto7@gmail.com or 518-791-9022.
Tax season invites check washing scams
ALBANY—As tax season approaches, the NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection provides consumers with guidance to avoid mail theft and check washing schemes. Check washing schemes involve thieves stealing checks, often in bulk from U.S. Postal Service mail collection boxes and use common chemicals like nail polish remover to erase (or “wash”) the payee and dollar amount while preserving the check’s original signature. These scammers can then profit from making checks out to themselves or selling the stolen, signed blank checks.
According to the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the number of check fraud crimes nationwide surged in 2020 and has worsened each year since. In 2022, FinCEN received over 680,000 suspicious activity reports related to check fraud, almost twice number recorded in 2021.
“When paying your taxes, deposit your check in the lobby of your Post Office for maximum security. Check washing scams can really hurt your wallet which is why I encourage New Yorkers to follow our tips to protect yourself and your business,” Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said in a press release.
Follow these tips to avoid mail theft and check washing scams:
*For maximum security: Go directly to the post office to deposit mail. If you need to use a public U.S. Postal Service collection box, try to do so before the last pickup of the day to minimize the amount of time the check spends in the box
*Check your mailbox frequently: Don’t leave mail in your mailbox overnight
*Hold mail at your local post office: If you are going to be away from home and can’t check your mail, request to have your mail held at your local post office or have a trusted neighbor pick it up until your return. You can submit a USPS Hold Mail request online at www.usps.com/manage/hold-mail.htm or in-person at your local post office
*Use black gel pens: Gel pens may have ink that thieves have greater difficulty erasing compared to standard ballpoint pens.
*Sign up for informed delivery from USPS: Informed delivery services allow consumers to receive a daily email with pictures of all letter-sized mail for that address each day. You can sign up online at www.usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm *Review your checking account regularly: Look out for unusual or unexpected withdrawals from your bank account and take time to confirm when your checks clear.
What to do if you experience check washing: contact your bank immediately; file a police report; report the check washing to the United States Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 or www.uspis.gov/report
