State Police announce crackdown on distracted driving
The New York State Police will participate in a national crackdown on distracted driving as part of April’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The enforcement effort, called Operation Hang Up, will include increased patrols and checkpoints targeting drivers using electronic devices while behind the wheel. This year’s enforcement detail will run from Monday, April 7, 2025, through Monday, April 14, 2025.
Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe distracted driving violations. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,308 people were killed in the United States in distraction-affected crashes in 2022.
During the April 2024 Operation Hang Up campaign, State Police issued 21,768 tickets, including 4,056 tickets for distracted driving.
To help prevent more tragedies, NHTSA recommends the following for motorists:
- 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.
Current New York State law includes the following penalties for distracted drivers:
- For a first offense, the minimum fine is $50 and the maximum is $200
- A second offense in 18 months increases the maximum fine to $250
- A third offense in 18 months results in a maximum fine of $450
Probationary and junior drivers face a 120-day suspension of their license for a first offense, and one-year revocation of their permit or license if a second offense is committed within six months
State Police arrest Brooklyn man following Fishkill Dispute
On April 6, 2025, members of the State Police Wappinger arrested Joseph L. Sanchez, 39, of Brooklyn, NY, on charges of menacing 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon 4th, and endangering the welfare of a child.
On April 5, 2025, Troopers from SP Wappinger responded to the Hampton Inn in the Village of Fishkill following a report of a male threatening another guest with a knife. The investigation revealed that Sanchez and the victim had been involved in a verbal altercation. During the argument, Sanchez brandished a pocketknife toward both the victim and a child.
Sanchez was arrested and taken to SP Wappinger for processing. He was arraigned in the Town of Fishkill Court and is scheduled to appear in the Village of Fishkill Court on April 28, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Quebec male arrested for possession of forged instrument 1st
On April 5, 2025, State Police members arrested Dominic Vo, age 23, of Prevost, QC for possession of a forged instrument 1st.
On April 5. 2025, at approximately 11:55 a.m., Troopers responded to the Mobile gas station located on Route 11 in the town of Champlain for fraud investigation. An investigation determined Vo entered the store, asked to exchange two fifty-dollar bills. When the employees tested the bills, it was determined, Vo was in possession of counterfeit money.
Vo was arrested and transported to SP Champlain for processing. He was arraigned in the Town of Champlain Court, where he was released on his own recognizance.
White Plains man arrested for Aggravated, Felony DWI on the Cross Westchester Expressway
On April 6, 2025, at approximately 10:23 pm, a Trooper from SP Tarrytown conducted a traffic stop on a 2007 Toyota Sienna on Interstate 287 eastbound in the Town of Greenburgh for violations of the New York State VTL.
While Troopers were speaking with the operator, who was identified as Hector O. Jueladeleg, 40, of White Plains, NY, they observed indicators of intoxication. Standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) were administered which Jueladeleg subsequently failed.
Jueladeleg was placed into custody for DWI and transported to SP Tarrytown for processing. Jueladeleg consented to a breath test which resulted in a 0.22% BAC. During processing, it was determined that Jueladeleg has three previous DWI convictions within the past 10 years.
Jueladeleg was processed for Driving While Intoxicated (D felony), Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (D felony), and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 1st Degree: Permanent revocation. Jueladeleg was issued an appearance ticket to return to Greenburgh Town court on April 24, 2025 at 2:00pm.
Thruway traffic stop leads to arrest of three women in Rockland County
On April 5, 2025, at approximately, 8:30pm, Troopers from SP Tarrytown conducted a traffic stop on a 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage on Interstate 87 southbound in the Town of Orangetown violation of the New York State VTL.
Troopers interviewed the driver identified as Gloriana F. Solomon, 21, of Jamaica, NY. During the roadside interview, Troopers determined she was providing a false name. Troopers identified the front seat passenger as Gabrielle A. Wilson, 20, of Bronx, NY and the rear seat passenger as Halie Medina, 21, of Bronx, NY.
During the roadside investigation, Troopers conducted a vehicle search. The search yielded the recovery of approximately 36 grams of Methamphetamine.
All three females were placed into custody and transported to SP Tarrytown for processing. Solomon, Wilson, and Medina were charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled substance 2nd: Hallucinogen substance (felony) and Criminal Possession of a Controlled substance 3rd: Intent to sell (felony). Solomon was additionally charged with Criminal Impersonation (misdemeanor) and issued traffic tickets.
The defendants were arraigned at the Town of Orangetown Court and released on their own recognizance with a return date of April 15, 2025 at 9:30am.
Troop E VGNET and CCSERT Execute Search Warrant, Seize Meth Lab and Arrest Felon, Schuyler County
On April 3, 2025, members of the New York State Police Troop E Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (VGNET), with assistance from the State Police Uniform Force and the Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team West (CCSERT West), executed a search warrant at 2665 Church Road in the town of Reading, Schuyler County.
The investigation resulted in the following items being seized as evidence:
- Approximately 1 ounce of crystal methamphetamine
- Approximately 3 ounces of suspected methamphetamine oil
- Approximately 2 gallons of methamphetamine oil
- Approximately 1/8 ounce of psilocybin mushrooms
- Approximately 300 pseudoephedrine pills
- Digital scales
- Packaging materials
- One antique pistol
- Laboratory equipment, solvents, and chemical reagents used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine (removed by CCSERT)
As a result of the search and subsequent investigation, Jeremy Wright, age 44, of Reading, NY, was arrested and charged with the following:
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd (A-II Felony)
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd – Intent to Sell (B Felony)
- Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine 3rd Degree (D Felony)
Wright was processed at SP Dundee and then transported to Schuyler County Jail for CAP arraignment.
This is an ongoing investigation.
State Police are seeking public assistance in burglary case
New York State Police in Poughkeepsie are seeking the public’s assistance in an ongoing burglary investigation.
The incident is believed to have occurred between 3:00 p.m. on April 5, 2025, and 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at the Cottonwood Motel, located at 7 Fowler Rd, Millbrook, NY 12545. The individual(s) responsible caused property damage and stole several items belonging to the New York State Police, which do not pose any threat to the public.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Katie Zittel at the Poughkeepsie Bureau of Criminal Investigation at (845) 677-7373. Please Reference RMS #2500285682.
Lake Placid male arrested for DWI
On April 5, 2025, State Police members arrested Wyatt J. Cassidy, age 46, of Lake Placid, NY, for driving while intoxicated and aggravated driving while intoxicated.
On April 4, 2025, at approximately 11:41 p.m., Troopers responded to Cascade Road in the town of North Elba for a personal injury accident. When the Troopers arrived, they observed a white 2023 Toyota on its roof off the southern shoulder. The Troopers interviewed the sole occupant inside of the vehicle, who was identified as Cassidy. Troopers and EMS on the scene rendered aid to Cassidy. While interviewing Cassidy, he was showing signs of impairment. Cassidy was transported to Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake for further medical evaluation. Cassidy was released from the hospital and transported to SP Ray Brook. Troopers administered SFSTs which he failed.
Cassidy provided a positive breath sample of a .26% BAC. He was released on appearance tickets returnable to the Town of North Elba Court for a later date in April.
State Police Arrest Carthage Substitute Teacher Following Complaint from School District
On April 3, 2025, the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Lowville received a report from the Carthage Central School District regarding allegations of inappropriate contact between a substitute teacher and multiple third-grade students at West Carthage Elementary School.
The incident was promptly reported to law enforcement by school officials, and the suspect was immediately removed from school property following the district’s notification.
As a result of the investigation, on April 7, 2025, State Police arrested Lowell A. Williams, age 64, of Carthage, NY, for the following charges:
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- (2) counts of Forcible Touching (Class A Misdemeanor)
- (2) counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class A Misdemeanor)
Williams was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Champion Court on April 24, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. He was also served with a notice of trespass prohibiting him from accessing any Carthage Central School District property.
Teacher arrested for failing to report incident
On April 1, 2025, the New York State Police at Margaretville responded to the Margaretville Central School District for a report that a student brought a BB gun to school.
An investigation determined that on March 27, 2025, an 18-year-old student brought a BB gun on school grounds and it was observed by another student and teacher inside his backpack. The student did not make any threats towards others.
The teacher, Jennifer Sobas-Sands failed to report the incident after observing the BB gun.
As a result of the investigation, the student was charged with the misdemeanor of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and
Sobas-Sands was charged with the misdemeanors of Official Misconduct and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
The student was arraigned at Delaware County Centralized Arraignment. Sobas-Sands is scheduled to appear at the Middletown Town Court on May 22, 2025.
