Schenectady Pair Arrested After Yonkers Thruway Drug Stop
State Police say a traffic stop uncovered suspected fentanyl, cocaine and several other controlled substances.
A Schenectady pair was arrested on multiple felony drug possession charges after New York State Police said troopers discovered suspected fentanyl, cocaine and other controlled substances during a traffic stop on the New York State Thruway in Yonkers.
Brad M. Columbus, 41, and Danielle Marie Ostrom, 37, both of Schenectady, were arrested on July 20, according to a State Police news release issued Friday, July 24. Both defendants were arraigned in Yonkers City Court and released on their own recognizance.
The allegations are serious, but Columbus and Ostrom are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Traffic Stop Began on Northbound I-87
Troopers assigned to the State Police barracks in Tarrytown stopped a 2017 Honda Civic at about 9:20 p.m. on July 20.
Police said the vehicle was traveling northbound on Interstate 87 in the city of Yonkers and was stopped for alleged violations of New York’s vehicle and traffic laws.
Columbus was identified as the driver. Troopers later determined that he did not have a valid driver’s license, according to the State Police account. Ostrom was riding in the vehicle as a passenger.
State Police did not specify which traffic violation initially led troopers to stop the Honda Civic.
Troopers Report Finding Suspected Fentanyl and Cocaine
During the roadside investigation, troopers allegedly found multiple glassine envelopes containing a substance suspected to be fentanyl.
Police also reported recovering approximately 2.3 grams of cocaine and what the agency described as several additional varieties and amounts of controlled substances.
The State Police release did not provide:
- The total number of glassine envelopes recovered
- The laboratory-confirmed identity of each substance
- The total weight of the suspected fentanyl
- A complete list of the other alleged controlled substances
- Details explaining where the substances were found inside the vehicle
The materials were described by police as suspected drugs. Final identification generally depends on evidence testing and the court process.
Columbus and Ostrom were taken into custody and transported to the State Police facility in Tarrytown for processing.
Both Defendants Face Multiple Felony Charges
State Police charged both Columbus and Ostrom with the same primary drug offenses.
Each defendant was charged with:
- Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, a felony
- Fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony
- Fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony
- Six counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor
Columbus was also charged with multiple vehicle and traffic violations. Police said Ostrom received one vehicle and traffic violation.
Under New York law, fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance is a Class C felony when prosecutors establish that a person knowingly and unlawfully possessed a qualifying type and amount of a controlled substance. The exact legal requirements vary according to the substance involved and its weight.
The most serious charge listed by police alleges possession with an intent to sell. However, the State Police release did not describe the specific evidence investigators believe supports that allegation.
An intent-to-sell charge does not necessarily mean police witnessed a drug sale. Prosecutors may attempt to establish intent through the quantity and packaging of drugs, statements, records, money or other evidence. The prosecution will still have to prove every required element of the charge in court.
Pair Released After Yonkers Court Arraignment
Columbus and Ostrom were arraigned in Yonkers City Court and released on their own recognizance, State Police said.
Release on recognizance means the defendants were allowed to leave custody after promising to return for future court proceedings. It is not a dismissal of the charges and does not determine whether a person is guilty or innocent.
The State Police release did not identify their attorneys, announce their next court date or state whether prosecutors requested bail.
What Happens Next?
The case will move through the criminal court system in Westchester County.
Possible next steps may include:
- Laboratory testing of the substances seized by police
- Evidence review by prosecutors and defense attorneys
- Additional court appearances
- Possible motions challenging the traffic stop, search or evidence
- Grand jury proceedings for felony charges
- A negotiated resolution or trial
The allegations in a police press release represent the government’s initial account. Court filings, laboratory findings and testimony may provide additional details or challenge parts of that account as the case moves forward.
Fentanyl Remains a Major Public Safety Concern
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that has been linked to overdose deaths across New York and the nation. Because fentanyl may be mixed with other drugs without a person’s knowledge, even a small quantity can create a serious risk.
However, police descriptions of “suspected fentanyl” should not be treated as final scientific confirmation. Laboratory testing is needed to establish what a seized substance contains.
Anyone who believes someone may be experiencing an opioid overdose should call 911 immediately. Naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose and is available through many pharmacies, health departments and community organizations.
Charges Are Allegations, Not Proof
The arrests followed a traffic stop and investigation conducted by members of State Police Troop T, the Tarrytown barracks and the Troop K Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Police have presented a detailed list of charges, but those charges remain allegations. Columbus and Ostrom have the right to legal representation, to examine the evidence against them and to challenge the prosecution’s case.
As this case continues, the public should distinguish between an arrest announcement and a conviction. Accountability matters, particularly when allegations involve fentanyl and other potentially deadly substances. So does the constitutional principle that guilt must be established through evidence in a court of law.
Residents with information related to criminal activity can contact the appropriate law enforcement agency or submit a tip to New York State Police.
This article is based on information released by the New York State Police. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
SOURCE
New York State Police, “Schenectady pair arrested for felony drug possession after Thruway stop in Yonkers,” published July 24, 2026.
