By DIANE VALDEN
GREENPORT—State Police executed a search warrant on Joslen Boulevard resulting in a large seizure of allegedly illegally possessed drugs and firearms by a convicted felon, March 28.
Investigation by the State Police Community Stabilization Unit, Violent Gangs and Narcotic Enforcement Team, Major Crimes Unit, Special Investigations Unit, and the Hudson Police Department, developed sufficient evidence for a search warrant application for the Anthony Servider residence. The warrant was granted by a local magistrate and executed March 28.
About $16,000 in U.S. currency, 16.7 grams of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA or Sally), 132.9 grams of ketamine, 250.3 grams of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy), 11.4 grams of lysergic acid diethylamid (LSD), 122.4 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 21.7 grams of dimethyltryptamine (DMT), small quantities of heroin and methamphetamine were found. Three handguns and four long guns with ammunition were also discovered.
Anthony J. Servider, 50, of Greenport was arrested for second degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A-II felony; six counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony; fourth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class C felony; two counts of fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony; three counts of seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor; three counts of second degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class C felony; three counts of criminal possession of a firearm, an E felony, and three counts of fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, a class A misdemeanor.
Mr. Servider was arraigned in the Greenport Court and sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail.
Copake
Michael Faranda, 51, of State Route 23 in Copake was charged with two counts of third degree criminal possession of a weapon, which is a class D felony, March 22 at 12:55 a.m., according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff Donald J. Krapf.
Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a Copake residence to assist members of New York State Parole who had allegedly discovered a handgun at Mr. Faranda’s residence. He is currently under the supervision of Parole for a prior felony DWI conviction and is not permitted to possess any firearms.
Members of the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Branch also responded to the residence to continue the investigation into the possession of the handgun. As a result of the investigation, a search warrant was applied for and granted by Claverack Town Justice Michael Brandon. During the execution of the search warrant at the residence, Sheriff’s Office investigators allegedly found a second handgun as well as a quantity of ammunition. The serial numbers on both handguns found at the residence were reportedly defaced in an attempt to conceal their origin. Investigators are continuing to trace the origin of the guns.
Mr. Faranda was processed at the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and arraigned in front of Justice Brandon in Claverack Court. He was sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail and ordered to appear in Copake Court, March 27.
The Sheriff’s Office is being assisted in the investigation by the District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation is continuing and further charges are pending. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Branch at 518-828-4316.
Anyone with information regarding criminal activity may contact the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip Line at 518-822-8477. Callers may remain anonymous.
Athens, Greene County
The Greene County Sheriff’s Office charged Donald A. Pierro, 70, of Hillsdale with: one count of third degree attempted grand larceny, a class E felony; one count of falsifying business records, a class E felony, and one count of official misconduct, a class A misdemeanor, March 22.
Mr. Pierro was arraigned in Athens Court and released on his own recognizance.
This arrest comes following an investigation beginning March 18, when the Greene County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from the Town of Athens regarding a possible theft by “the bookkeeper to the supervisor.” Following the investigation, it is alleged that Mr. Pierro altered town payroll records in an effort to benefit himself, according to a press release.
Craryville
Michael Masten, 49, and Christopher Rowen, 36, both of Route 23, Claverack, were each charged with harassment by Sheriff’s Deputy Timothy Roberts following an incident at 33 Palmer Road, March 31 at 4:59 p.m., Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Heath Benansky told The Columbia Paper by phone this week.
Mr. Masten and Mr. Rowen were involved in a dispute with their neighbor, Ilze Earner, who along with her daughter, Zigis Switzer, contacted The Columbia Paper by email about the incident. They also provided a video recording of the encounter.
In her email, Ms. Earner sent a letter she had written to Columbia County District Attorney Christopher Liberati-Conant. In the letter, she describes herself as a 68-year-old retired professor who has lived in Columbia County for more than 20 years. She writes that she was out walking on her property when her neighbors’ dogs came over and barked at her. She said she told them to “go home and they did.” Shortly thereafter, Mr. Masten and Mr. Rowen appeared and got into a verbal argument with Ms. Earner over who was on whose property.
The argument escalated and one of the men advanced on Ms. Earner and hit her in the face, she then appeared to fall to the ground in the video and the second man went over and kicked her in the leg while she was down.
According to the police report referred to by Lt. Benansky, one of the men hit Ms. Earner in the face with an open hand and the second man did kick her in the leg.
Ms. Earner refers to the incident as “assault” but the men were charged with “harassment” due to the lack of injury, according to the lieutenant.
The men were taken to Claverack Court for arraignment and were released on their own recognizance. Ms. Earner sought a court order of protection against the men, which the judge granted. They are slated to return to court April 16. Deputy Roberts was assisted on the scene by Deputy Joseph Kilmer and Sergeant Jason Garvey.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com
Distracted Driving campaign ran through April 8
GHENT—The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) announced that state and local law enforcement are participating in a national effort to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month nationwide. Here in New York, distracted driving is the most common contributing factor in all crashes in the state. During the campaign, law enforcement across the state will be increasing patrols through Monday, April 8.
To help educate drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, GTSC will be using social media, television, radio and Variable Message Signs on highways.
To help deter drivers from talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device, texting, or using an electronic device while driving, the state has set strict penalties. The penalties can range from $50 to $450 in fines, five driver violation points, and possible suspension or revocation of license.
During the 2023 campaign, law enforcement throughout the state issued 70,263 tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations, including 2,612 tickets for distracted driving.
Full breakdown here (the violation is listed first followed by the number of tickets): Distracted Driving 2,612; Impaired Driving 1,249; Move Over Law 335; Seatbelt 2,346; Speeding 12,762; Other Violations 50,959.
According to preliminary data from the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR), driver inattention/distraction was a contributing factor in 116 fatal crashes in 2023. To help prevent tragedies, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends the following steps for drivers:
*If you must send or receive a text, pull over to a safe location and park your car first
*If you have passengers, appoint a “designated texter” to handle all your texting
*If you can’t resist the temptation to look at your phone, keep it in the trunk.
For more information about GTSC, visit trafficsafety.ny.gov,
