Southern Tier Police Canine Association
I'
Tarah
End Of Watch August 15, 2022
Tarah was born on November 17, 2007 at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Service Dog Training Centre in Bowden, Alberta Canada. Tarah was purchased by the Southern Tier Police Canine Association and trained by her handler Officer J.L. Vanek. She is credited with nearly 900 arrests while at the Endicott Police Department 2008-2020 and the Owego Police Department 2020-until her passing 08/15/22.
Tarah was an ambassador to the public and loved children. Her deployment profile was very specialized as a passive narcotics detection dog specializing in scanning people, and doing urban hard surface tracking. Tarah accomplished consecutive certifications for Advanced Narcotics Detection and Tracking with New York State, consecutive certification as a Narcotics Detection Dog Team with the United State Police Canine Association, consecutive certifications with the North American Police Working Dog Association, a Tracking Dog Team and Narcotics Detection Dog Team with the National Narcotics Detection Dog Association, certification with the International Police Working Dog Association, a Narcotics Detection Dog Team with Drug Beat, and as a Narcotics Detection Dog Team and Courier Narcotics Detection Dog Team. Tarah attained consecutive certifications with the Eastern Police Canine Association passing certifications as an Advanced Narcotics Detection Dog Team with Person Scan and is recognized as being the longest consecutive certifications for thirteen years straight.
Here are a few of Tarah’s success with some supporting media reports.
Best K9 Deployment Ever 11/07/15
While on patrol the Endicott K9 Unit came upon a ten year old girl, laying on her back on the sidewalk crying and her mother standing over her sobbing uncontrollably. This young girl was bleeding from the face and it was learned that she suffers from Muscular Dystrophy and can't walk on her own as well as being in constant pain. Her mother helped her out of the car to the sidewalk and was securing the car when her daughter tried to walk and fell uncontrollably to the ground.
Medics responded and with all the activity K9 Tarah was barking in her K9 car. It became apparent that this young girl was interested in Tarah.
Tarah was deployed and ran to the girl, who was now sitting up on the sidewalk. Tarah began licking her face and climbing all over her loving her up. The girl’s tears turned to a smile and joy.
Binghamton bank robbery suspect arrested minutes later, stolen cash recovered
Anthony Borrelli, Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin Published 3:51 p.m. ET May 1, 2020 | Updated 4:52 p.m. ET May 1, 2020
The suspect in a Binghamton bank robbery Friday on the West Side was arrested minutes afterward at his home.
Binghamton police said Joshua Covey, 28, was tracked down to his Hazel Street residence within minutes after he allegedly fled with cash stolen from Peoples Security Bank on Main Street.
The robbery was reported at 9:24 a.m., according to police, who said Covey allegedly slipped inside just after a bank employee stepped out to get the mail. Once inside, Covey allegedly demanded money but no weapon was displayed.
Police said the bank is closed to the public and the suspect, Covey, was known to bank employees. That information was relayed to officers who quickly located him, and police executed a search warrant to recover the stolen cash.
Covey was charged with a felony count of third-degree robbery.
The Binghamton Police Department was aided by an Endicott police K-9 unit during the investigation.
Endicott Police arrest man accused of intentionally starting fire on South Liberty Avenue after a mile and a half track by K9
2019-1261 03/16/19
The Endicott Police Department says that after a rash of occupied apartment building structure fires an arrest has been made following an investigation into a structure fire at South Liberty Avenue that occurred on the night of February 16.
Endicott Police say 39-year-old Ronald L. Butts Jr. of Endicott was arrested and charged for arson in the third degree, a class C Felony. Butts was taken into custody by Patrol Officers after being tracked from the scene by the department’s K9.
Police say Butts is accused of intentionally setting fire to a two-family residence and causing damage. According to police, the residence was unoccupied at the time.
The Endicott Police Department was assisted in the investigation by New York State Police, New York State Fire Investigators, Broome County Fire Investigators, the Endicott Fire Department, and the Broome County District Attorney’s Office.
The Endicott Police Department says the investigation is still ongoing and additional charges are possible regarding to additional apartment building fires. The department ask anyone with information about the incident to contact Endicott Police Detective Division Tip Line at (607) 785-3341, option 7, or though the tip line at endicottpolice.com
60 year old man with dementia wearing only socks and pajama bottoms located by K9 in -2 degrees with wind chill
2013-8514 11/24/13
0340 Hrs K9 Tarah was called in from off duty to assist Endicott Police Officers attempting to locate, a 60 year old M/W that suffers from dementia that was missing from 300 W. Main St wearing only socks, pajama bottoms, without a shirt or coat, exposed to the elements which were at the time snowing with a wind chill of -2 degrees. The K9 was directed to where an officer had lost the barefoot prints in the snow in the salted roadway. The K9 tracked and located the male and EMS responded transporting him to Binghamton General Hospital for medical treatment.
Track of Burglary of Occupied Home
2014-00011 01/01/14
Updated: Friday, May 4, 2018 Zachary Matisi-Garren was arrested and charged with Burglary in the 2nd Degree.
0653 Hrs 01/01/14 Officers were dispatched to 106 Badger Ave for a report of an intruder in the house, the elderly resident had engaged the intruder in a physical fight when awaken in his bedroom by the subject who then fled on foot from the rear door of the residence.
K9 Tarah was deployed for a track at the rear door of the residence and followed the track scent to the Matisi residence, finding the door to the second floor apartment ajar. On the track path a glove and screw driver were observed on the ground.
Detectives arrived on scene and subsequently interviewed Zachary Garren-Matisi who fit the description of the intruder. Garren-Matisi denied committing the offense and the victim was not able to positively identify the perpetrator. The screw driver and glove were collected as evidence and submitted for DNA analysis.
Garren-Matisi was years later arrested for Burglary in an unrelated case, however upon pleading guilty his attorney was able to convince the Judge that Garren-Matisi did not have submit a DNA sample. Garren-Matisi served his sentence and was released from prison. 2017 Garren-Matisi was again arrested for Burglary and this time a DNA sample was secured from him.
11/25/18
Detectives advised that DNA recovered from evidence located at the scene of the burglary had resulted in a match to Garren-Matisi.
05/04/18
Nearly four and half years after the crime Garren-Matisi was charged with Burglary in the 2nd degree.
Man Wanted in Connection to Johnson City Homicide located by Endicott K9
2013-4653 07/09/13
A 22 year old man, Devon Carty, wanted in connection to a homicide that occurred in Johnson City was arrested after a police chase by the Endicott Police. The incident started after the Endicott Police were summoned to 12 Jefferson Ave for a domestic assault.
Carty, the perpetrator was subsequently located at 108 Madison Ave, two blocks from the scene, and taken into custody. Carty, handcuffed behind his back broke free from officers and fled on foot.
Endicott’s K9 was deployed tracking Carty for several blocks crossing the busy E. Main St at which time the K9 indicated that Carty was hiding on the second floor garage apartment roof of 308 Grant Ave. Upon the K9’s alert Carty, who had moved his handcuffs to his front jumped from the roof onto another building’s roof then jumped from that roof to the roof of Dunkin Donuts then onto the rear porch of a fourth building where after a short struggle with officers was taken into custody.
Carty was charged with Assault, Resisting Arrest, Escape
Endicott Police Arrest Man Wanted For Homicide
Wed, July 10 by WEBO Radio
What began as a domestic incident ends in a police search and subsequent arrest of a man wanted in connection to a homicide last year in Johnson City. Endicott Police arrested 22-year-old Devon Carty of Brooklyn after a domestic dispute at 12 Jefferson Avenue in Endicott. Carty allegedly threw a chunk of concrete through a glass window, injuring a man inside the home. According to police, Carty broke free of officers while being escorted to a patrol car. A police K-9 unit tracked him to 308 Grant Avenue, where he was spotted on the roof of a garage apartment. He was taken into custody from the third-floor back porch of a neighboring home. He was charged with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, and assault. Police also found that he was wanted on a felony warrant for criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, related to a homicide which took place in April of 2012. In the homicide, Derrick Mann, of Johnson City, was indicted last year by a Broome County grand jury for second-degree murder for the death of Genesis Lee on April 20 on Grand Avenue in Johnson City. Carty was wanted only on a weapons charge.
10 Defendants Indicted On Steroid Distribution And Money Laundering Conspiracy Charges
2014-0527 01/21/14
1451 Hrs K9 Tarah was requested to assist the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Unit (CNET) was narcotics scan at 123 Odell Ave, Endicott.
Information revealed that there was suspicion of narcotics activity at the location after a package containing suspected packaging material had broken open at the US Postal Center in Syracuse, NY.
Upon CNET’S arrival at the location for an interview Karly Thornton and Caleb Doane were observed exiting the location, Thornton placing a package in a vehicle parked curb side and Doane carrying a suitcase.
The subsequent K9 scan of the vehicle and curtilage of the multi-family dwelling at 123 Odell Ave resulted in positive alerts to the odor of illegal drugs/narcotics emanating from the door handle of the vehicle that Thornton had used, the suitcase handle that Doane had touched and Doane’s person. Doane made admissions that he and Thornton had smoked marihuana.
Applications for search warrants for the vehicle, suitcase and Thornton’s apartment were made.
1924 Hrs NYSP CNET Southern Tier executed a search warrant at 123 Odell Av, 2nd floor, Endicott, NY along with the suitcase.
During the subsequent search by Tarah in the apartment a marihuana pipe was located in the bedroom of the residence.
The suitcase was found to contain numerous kilos of steroids and additional contraband located in the apartment and in the vehicle indicated manufacturing of steroids. The investigation initiated as a result of K9 Tarah’s positive alerts resulted in an international investigation and the following arrests.
Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Northern District of New York
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 24, 2015
10 Defendants Indicted On Steroid Distribution And Money Laundering Conspiracy Charges
Nationwide Distribution Organization Was Based in Binghamton
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Ten men were arrested Wednesday on federal charges of conspiring to distribute anabolic steroids and engage in international money laundering, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian, Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico, and Acting Inspector in Charge James V. Buthorn, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.
The felony charges, which allege that the defendants were part of a steroids distribution organization based in Broome County, New York, are contained in a September 11, 2015 indictment that was unsealed Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Binghamton. The defendants were arrested Wednesday morning in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Georgia and Delaware.
"Anabolic steroids are controlled substances that carry significant health risks when used or distributed unlawfully," stated U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian. "As alleged in the indictment, these defendants were unlawfully distributing these dangerous substances and some of them engaged in international money laundering to carry on their steroids distribution ring. I commend the federal and state agencies that worked together to dismantle this organization."
The name of each defendant is set forth in the chart below, along with each defendant’s age, place of residence, the charges against him, and the maximum potential terms of imprisonment each faces upon conviction. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
These charges are the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the New York State Police.
"As alleged, these defendants were charged on drug trafficking and money laundering charges for their role in an international drug conspiracy," stated DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt. "Every day, 114 people die due to drug overdose, and law enforcement has committed our resources to identify, investigate and arrest those who distribute all illegal drugs. Similar to the consequences of any illegal drug, the repeated use of steroids leads to addiction, shame, embarrassment, heart attacks, strokes, cancer and jail."
"These arrests are the culmination of a wide-ranging investigation that uncovered a conspiracy to illegally distribute anabolic steroids," stated New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico. "These steroids exposed users to potentially dangerous health risks. I want to thank our Community Narcotics Enforcement Team and our federal partners for their work on this important case."
"The U.S. Postal Service is in the business of moving the mail and has no interest in being involved in the distribution of illegal drugs," stated Acting Postal Inspector in Charge James V. Buthorn. "Anabolic steroids are a controlled substance and like any other illegal drug, we want to keep them out of the U.S. Mail and away from the general public, who may not be aware of the full risks associated with their use. The men and women of the Postal Inspection Service work relentlessly to remove illegal narcotics from the mail while bringing to justice criminals who use the Postal Service to facilitate their crimes."
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Solomon B. Shinerock and Daniel Hanlon.
Defendants Charged
NAME
AGE
RESIDENCE
CHARGES
MAXIMUM POTENTIAL TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT
Ryan Root
36
West New York, New Jersey
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
(Count One)
International Money Laundering (Count Two)
20 years
(Count One)
20 years
(Count Two)
Richard Progovitz
37
Port Crane, New York
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
10 years
Caleb Doane
30
Las Vegas, Nevada
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
(Count One)
International Money Laundering (Count Two)
10 years
(Count One)
20 years
(Count Two)
Kent Fletcher
46
Alpharetta, Georgia
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
(Count One)
International Money Laundering (Count Two)
10 years
(Count One)
20 years
(Count Two)
Derek Strassle
32
Endicott, New York
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
(Count One)
International Money Laundering (Count Two)
10 years
(Count One)
20 years
(Count Two)
Paul Boylan
31
Endicott, New York
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
(Count One)
International Money Laundering (Count Two)
10 years
(Count One)
20 years
(Count Two)
Kyle Clark
30
Tampa, Florida
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
10 years
Michael Gisondi
48
Belleville, New Jersey
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
10 years
Jeremiah O’Brien
33
Binghamton, New York
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
10 years
Jason Garcia
a.k.a.
Ignacio Javier Garcia
21
Duluth, Georgia
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids
10 years
The first guilty plea in a Broome County steroid ring is expected Thursday in federal court.
Richard Progovitz, 37, of Port Crane, was among 10 defendants charged in September after raids conducted by state and federal law enforcement that targeted distribution of anabolic steroids.
He is scheduled to enter a guilty plea at 1:30 p.m., at Binghamton's federal courthouse. Check back later for an updated report.
Progovitz, along with Endicott residents Paul Boylan, 31, and Derek Strassle, 32; and Binghamton resident Jeremiah O'Brien, 33, were charged in September with conspiracy to possess and distribute a controlled substance, related to anabolic steroids. They face up to 10 years in federal prison, if convicted.
Searches by police during the Broome County investigation uncovered evidence of steroid labs, including steroids in various stages of production and packaging materials. Court papers allege the criminal activities took place from January 2011 through Sept. 11. 2015.
The U.S. Attorney's Office says six out-of-state conspirators were also charged as part of the same operation: Ryan Root, 36, Michael Gisondi, 48, both of New Jersey; Caleb Doane, 30, of Nevada; Kent Fletcher, 46, and Jason Garcia, 21, both of Georgia; and Kyle Clark, 30, of Florida, were charged under the Sept. 11 indictment.
Root , Doane, Fletcher, Strassle and Boylan are also indicted on felony counts of international money laundering, which carries a potential maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted.
The investigation that resulted in the charges was part of a crackdown by the DEA, dubbed "Operation Cyber Juice," which has targeted underground anabolic steroid lab crackdowns in 20 states.
Police say anabolic steroids are synthetically produced variants of the natural hormone testosterone and can be abused in an attempt to promote muscle growth and enhance physical performance.
"Similar to the consequences of any illegal drug, the repeated use of steroids leads to addiction, shame, embarassment, heart attacks, strokes, cancer and jail," DEA Special Agent in Charge James Hunt said in a statement.
Products found in these underground anabolic steroid labs are often obtained over the Internet from Chinese chemical manufacturing companies and other underground labs, according to the DEA.
STEROID BUST: First the raid and 2 years later, 10 are convicted of federal crimes
STEROID BUST: First the raid and 2 years later, 10 are convicted of federal crimes
Published 1:17 p.m. ET Aug. 25, 2017 | Updated 1:18 p.m. ET Aug. 25, 2017
Less than one hour before sunrise on Sept. 23, 2015, quickly-executed state and federal police raids around Broome County and in other states formed the climax of a months-long investigation into underground steroid labs.
Ten men — four from the Endicott, Binghamton and Port Crane areas — faced indictments in federal court for conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids and international money laundering charges that could have carried up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Nearly two years after the raids, all of the defendants have been sentenced, but few drew lengthy penalties behind bars.
BUSTED: Steroid ring spanned 5 states, based in Broome
The stiffest penalty, 78 months in prison, was reserved for the conspiracy's leader: Ryan Root, 39, who was sentenced Aug. 4 in U.S. District Court. Some co-conspirators charged in the case received lesser prison terms, according to court records, while others were handed probation or time served. Sentences are determined by judges and based on various factors including a defendant's criminal record and his or her level of participation in the illegal activity.
Court documents tied to the steroid case, filed in advance of 10 sentencings, reveal more about how the conspiracy unfolded.
Records show how some defendants with interests in bodybuilding joined into an operation that involved money transfers to China in exchange for steroid shipments distributed around Broome County and elsewhere, and how a few co-conspirators were seemingly clueless about key specifics of their undertaking.
The investigation that ended with indictments unsealed Sept. 23 against Root and the other defendants was part of a nationwide crackdown by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
"Using steroids or any synthetically derived controlled substance without regulation is like playing Russian roulette," DEA Special Agent in Charge James Hunt said after Root's guilty plea in November. "Root used his drug trafficking to distribute unregulated anabolic steroids, putting other people's lives at risk."
The U.S. Attorney's Office said the 10 defendants obtained more than 60,000 units of steroids from China and wired funds for steroids to "counterparties" there.
At first glance, the enterprise Root was involved with sounded legitimate, according to a court filing by Lee Kindlon, defense lawyer for co-defendant Kent Fletcher.
Kindlon said Fletcher's mounting medical bills forced him to turn to lower-cost options online and that led to Root's "snake oil."
Eventually, Fletcher got into the manufacture of the very product he was ingesting.
But his role in the conspiracy was minor, Kindlon argued, saying he tried his best to "leave it behind" when the nature of the criminal activity became more apparent. Fletcher was accountable for $1,246 in money transfers to China for steroids, court papers said, noting that was less than one percent of the total amount involved in the conspiracy.
On July 17, Fletcher was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for his role. A notice of appeal for his prison term has been filed.
Another co-defendant, Michael Gisondi, became involved after Root hired him to fix one of his computers, court papers said. Later, Root asked if he wanted to process internet orders for his vitamin supplement business and create a website.
Between April 27 and Sept. 15 in 2015, Gisondi received what he thought were internet orders and handed the roughly 10 parcels to Root. Those parcels turned out to be money from drug sales, according to Gisondi's defense lawyer John Dell'Italia.
Gisondi's mail box was also used by several co-defendants, some of them doing so without Gisondi's knowledge, in order for Root to receive his drug sale proceeds, according to court papers. Two packages that Gisondi did not order himself came from China for the purpose of making anabolic steroids.
Court papers said two defendants, Jeremiah O'Brien and Richard Progovitz, both friends, used the mail to shuffle raw materials for steroids from suppliers to manufacturers involved in the conspiracy.
Dell'Italia said Gisondi, who was sentenced in March to three years on federal probation, bore an "innocent, shameful" role in the conspiracy. Gisondi, his lawyer said, "does not use drugs, order drugs, deliver drugs, send drug money or manufacture drugs."
Although drug trafficking is a very serious offense, Dell'Italia said in court papers, after reviewing this entire case, what appears more serious is the ease with which a person can own and operate a website that sells anabolic steroids.
Since Congress declared anabolic steroids illegal in 1990, law enforcement officials have targeted its production and distribution. But those efforts have not diminished the demand for this performance-enhancing substance, said Rick Collins, a Long Island-based attorney with over 20 years of experience in defending cases involving steroids nationwide, when interviewed by the Press & Sun-Bulletin in September 2015.
Non-medical use of steroids has been around since the 1950s and 60s, Collins said at the time, and the steroid black market is an example of how illegal markets adapt to interdiction efforts by the government.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Solomon Shinerock, who prosecuted the 2015 steroid case, most of the defendants saw working with Root as a way to supplement otherwise lawful ways of supporting themselves and their families.
Root told one co-defendant the illegal steroid products they distributed were actually legal dietary supplements, Shinerock said in court papers. His choice to recruit "naïve" associates helped him wield greater bargaining power with them and increase his profits by paying them less than what their potential criminal exposure might warrant, according to Shinerock.
From federal court records, here are the outcomes of the criminal cases against the other steroid defendants:
Derek Strassle, 33, of Endicott, was sentenced in July to three years on probation for guilty plea to drug conspiracy and money laundering.
Paul Boylan, 32, of Endicott, was sentenced in February to one year in prison for plea to conspiracy with intent to distribute and to distribute a controlled substance, international money laundering conspiracy.
Jeremiah O'Brien, 33, of Binghamton, was sentenced in February to three years of probation for conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids.
Richard Progovitz, 38, of Owego, was sentenced in June to two years in prison for guilty plea to a felony count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Caleb Doane, 31, from California, was sentenced to six months in prison for drug and money laundering counts and given October 2017 self-surrender date.
Kent Fletcher, 48, from Georgia, was sentenced in July to 15 months in prison. A notice of appeal for the sentence has been filed.
Kyle Clark, 31, from Texas, was sentenced in May to time served, plus three years of supervised release.
Michael Gisondi, 50, from New Jersey, was sentenced in March to three years of probation.
Jason Garcia, 22, from Georgia, was sentenced in March to one year in prison.
The defense for Root, in court records ahead of his sentencing, outlined a "somewhat complex" road that started with him working in the Binghamton area health field and then, running a steroid distribution operation.
Root previously volunteered at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, according to his defense lawyer Paul Battisti, and was later hired as a patient care assistant. Battisti said he eventually found himself mired in substance abuse problems.
In spite of that, the defense said, Root managed to open his own business as a protein supplement supplier. At some point, Battisti said, he "helped out a few friends with steroids."
Pitching for leniency at Root's sentencing, Battisti stated, "It is questionable whether lengthy incarceration could provide greater deterrence than the very real lessons Ryan has learned from this unfortunate incident."
Attempted Robbery Arrest
Attempted Robbery Arrest
Endicott, New York Date of Release September 16, 2015
On, September 16, 2015, the Endicott Police arrested Jason M. Salvinski, age 33, of 2913 North St. Endicott, for one count of Attempted Robbery in the Second degree, a class D felony.
On September 16, 2015 at 2:33 p.m. police responded to an attempted strong armed robbery at the Price Chopper parking lot, 911 North St. The 58 year old female victim reported seeing a white male acting suspiciously near her vehicle while she was returning her cart. She stated she observed the male open her passenger car door and remove her purse, she confronted the male and they struggled with the purse with the suspect ultimately letting go and walking and then running away. The victim followed the suspect for a short time and was able to take a cell phone picture of the suspect before he ran away and was picked up in a vehicle by a still unknown second suspect. Through the cell phone picture and the vehicle information Salvinski was identified as the suspect and was located less than 90 minutes later at his residence and taken into custody hiding in his shower. The victim was not injured during the incident and the investigation is ongoing.
Salvinski was arraigned in the Village of Endicott Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.
Arrest in Serial Robberies
2017-9090 09/22/17
The subsequent investigation of a cab driver that was robbed on the 10 block of Adams Ave on the morning of September 22, 2017 in which the Endicott K9 tracked the perpetrator to a residence on Arthur Av lead the Endicott Police to be able to make arrests for robberies that happened earlier this summer during a string of armed robberies plaguing the community. No arrest has been made in the September 22, 2017 robbery due to a pit bull being sent to attack the Endicott K9 hampering the identification of the perpetrator who was one of three subjects in the apartment the K9 tracked to. The identification of the individuals in the apartment lead to the identification of two previous robberies. The investigation of the September 22, 2017 remains under investigation at this time.
Police Arrest Two Men after Multiple Robberies in Endicott
Posted: Nov 17, 2017 6:36 PM EST Updated: Nov 17, 2017 7:18 PM EST
By FOX 40 Staff
Serial Robbery, Spree ended after K9 Track from Endicott Police K9 Tarah
ENDICOTT, N.Y. -
The Endicott Police Department arrested two men, after an investigation into multiple robbery incidents in the Village.
Police have charged Ali J. Chandler, 21, of Endicott and Ramel S. Noel, 26, with two counts of Robbery in the First Degree, a Felony.
Authorities said the arrests stem from two different incidents. The first-- occurred on September 14 in the parking lot of a business off of 1 S. Page Ave., in the Village. Police said Noel and Chandler stole property from the victim who was in the parking lot, and displayed a handgun. The second-- took place on September 15, at the 300 block of Arthur Ave., in the Village. Authorities said Noel and Chandler called a cab, and when the cab driver showed up they stole property from the driver, and displayed a handgun.
The victims in both of the incidents were injured during the robberies.
Chandler and Noel were arraigned in the Village of Endicott Court, and sent to the Broome County Jail without bail. Police said they are still investigating the incidents, and there could be more arrests.
Bottom of Form
JC Police Find Loaded Semi-Automatic Pistol in Traffic Stop
October 16, 2018
Photo: Johnson City Police Department
2018-8596 10/15/18
Assist Agency-Endicott Police K9 Tarah assisted Johnson City Police was a vehicle stop and vehicle search.
A man wanted on a drug charge had a hidden compartments where the K9 indicated an a loaded gun and methamphetamine in his vehicle when he was pulled over by police on Main Street in Johnson City.
Authorities say 29-year-old Vincent Perico of Montrose faces two felony weapon possession charges.
Village police say officers stopped a vehicle driven by Perico on Main Street around 8:45 p.m. Monday.
A warrant for Perico had been issued in Pennsylvania. Police say his driver's license was suspended in New York state.
Officers searched his vehicle after Endicott's K9 alerted and found a loaded Tec DC9 semi-automatic pistol. They also found two magazines for other handguns and some packaged meth.
In addition to the weapon counts, Perico was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminally using drug paraphernalia and aggravated unlicensed operation. He also was cited for several traffic infractions.
Perico was sent to Broome County Jail after his arraignment.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com
For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.
Before ‘Operation Hailstorm,” Endicott man got nabbed in 2015 drug trafficking bust
01/0815-01/09/15
The US Postal Inspectors Office became suspicious of packages being sent to George Clarke from Arizona contacting the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Unit (CNET), who in turn requested assistance from the Endicott Police K9 Tarah. Tarah was deployed off leash into the US Post Office in Endicott and subsequently positive alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics being present in several boxes after a search of the entire Post Office.
The packages were seized by CNET and a federal search warrant was obtained for the packages by the Postal Inspectors. In the packages approximately twenty-two pounds of marihuana and a kilo of cocaine were recovered.
The investigation resulted in a search warrant being executed at Clarke’s residence where an additional kilo of cocaine and several ounces of crystal methamphetamine were recovered along with five-thousand dollars in cash.
The subsequent two and half year investigation resulted in a national investigation and the arrest of ten people charged in the multi-state narcotics distribution ring.
Ten People Charged in Federal Multi-State Methamphetamine Ring
Posted: Sep 20, 2017 6:11 PM EDT Updated: Sep 20, 2017 7:26 PM EDT
BROOME COUNTY, N.Y. -
Ten people, nine from Broome County and one from Arizona, have been charged for their roles in a multi-state methamphetamine ring that Officials say spanned "multiple years." An 11th individual was also arrested, but he was not arraigned at the Federal level.
According to the indictment, which was given to Fox 40 by the United States Department of Justice, the ten people mentioned in the complaint are facing anywhere from 10 years to life.
Suspects Arrested
Charles Green Jr., 42, Binghamton
Rachel Millard, 35, Endicott
Akuan Johnson, 39, Binghamton
Alonso Harris, 42, Youngstown, Arizona
Amanda Kamp, 27, Binghamton
Vincent Harrell, Jr., 39, Endicott
Kenneth Wilson, 46, Binghamton
Misti Evans, 37, Endicott
Jolene Barrett-Stoeckel, 41, Johnson City
George Clarke, 41 Endicott
Green Jr., Millard, Johnson, and Harris are all facing multiple felonies.
Count one of the indictment alleges that all ten Defendants committed Methamphetamine Conspiracy. This means they conspired to knowingly and intentionally distribute, and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. According to the document, the incidents took place in January 2015 and again on September 5, 2017, the controlled substance in methamphetamine.
Cont two of the indictment alleges that Harris, Green, Johnson, and Millard also committed Money Laundering Conspiracy. This means they conspired to commit money laundering by knowing that the property involved in one or more financial transactions represented the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity.
Green Jr., is facing 10-to-life for count one and 20 years maximum for count two. Millard is facing 10-to life for count one and 20 years maximum for count two. Johnson is facing life on count one due to having two prior felony convictions and 20 years maximum on count two.
All ten of the Defendants are accused of committing Methamphetamine Conspiracy. Kamp is facing 20 years maximum, Harrell, Jr. is facing 20-to-life, Wilson is facing life due to having five prior felony convictions, Evans is facing 10-to-life, Barrett-Stoeckel is facing 10-to-life, and George Clarke, whose name has been redacted from the indictment is also facing charges on count one, according to his lawyer. Paul Battisti says his client, Clarke, was in Federal Court today after a violation of a previous drug felony sentence.
The Department of Justice says all of the Defendants had "extensive travel for a couple of years between Arizona and Binghamton." They added that "cash went back and forth to Arizona."
During the searches, the DEA also seized the following drugs and weapons.
George Clarke: .357 magnum Smith & Wesson pistol and a .38 Ruger
Akuan Johnson: .9mm Sig Sauer P250 pistol, around 2 ounces of crystal methamphetamine, .25 pounds of marijuana, and 1.5 pounds of crystal methamphetamine in his Johnson City storage locker
Charles Green: 4 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 1 grams of heroin
Amanda Kamp: 4 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 1 grams of heroin
Rachel Millard: 2 ounces of crystal methamphetamine, packaging materials, digital scales, cell phones, and assorted pills
Four cars, including three Mercedes and a BMW, were seized.
2007 Mercedes Benz, black, (Jerome Bell)
2009 Mercedes Benz, black, (Akuan Johnson)
2007 Mercedes Benz, gray, (Akuan Johnson)
2006 BMW X5, brown, (Jerome Bell)
According to the indictment, Johnson, Harrell, Wilson, and Clarke all have prior drug convictions.
Johnson was convicted of Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in Queens County Court around August 5, 1997, and sentenced to 30 days in prison. He was also convicted in Orange County Court on April 1, 2004, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance/Narcotic and was sentenced to 54 months to 9 years.
Harrell was convicted of a felony drug offense around May 30, 2002, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in Broome County Court and was sentenced to 5 years.
Wilson has drug felony convictions dating back to July 22, 1991 (New York County), March 7, 1997 (New York County), February 4, 1999 (New York County), December 21, 2000 (Broome County), and October 28, 2004 (Broome County). In total, he has been sentenced to between 12.5 and 19 years over his lifetime.
The 11th individual arrested was 32-year-old Robert Patton from Waverly. According to the New York State Police, the Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team investigated 125 Providence Street and arrested Patton for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was arraigned in the Village of Waverly Court and is being held in the Tioga County Jail without bail.
During the search of Patton, the Community Narcotics Enforcement Team seized the following.
3.5 pounds of crystal methamphetamine
2 ounces of cocaine
Safe containing $50,000
An inactive methamphetamine box lab
Scales and packing materials
2002 Dodge Dakota Pickup Truck
Metal knuckles and metal knuckle knife
According to Authorities, the crystal methamphetamine seized in Tioga County has an estimated street value of $120,000.
Wednesday's busts stem from a multi-year investigation called Operation Hailstorm and included search warrant executions at 12 Highland Avenue in Endwell, 125 Providence Street, 132 Broad Street, and 460 Broad Street, Apt. 210 in Waverly. A New York State Police Trooper tells Fox 40 that there was an "attempted drug bust" at 4 Ogden Street in Binghamton, but no arrests were made.
Endicott man who pled guilty, then kept selling drugs, gets 20 years in federal prison
, aborrelli@pressconnects.com | @PSBABorrelli Published 2:33 p.m. ET March 27, 2018 | Updated 2:40 p.m. ET March 27, 2018
George Clarke had two sides to his life, according to his lawyer. On one side was the parent, the American Bulldog breeder, and the youth football coach.
And, on the other side, there was the longtime drug dealer.
On Tuesday, Clarke, 42, was sentenced in Binghamton's federal courthouse to 20 years in prison for his guilty to plea to a felony count of drug trafficking conspiracy.
One month after he pleaded guilty to that crime in March 2017, while on supervised release from jail, Clarke's involvement in the drug trade continued through his role in an Arizona-to-New York conspiracy to distribute pounds of crystal meth around the Southern Tier.
From April 2017 until Sept. 20, 2017, the U.S. Attorney's Office said, Clarke was part of the 10-member meth trafficking operation, busted last year during an investigation police dubbed "Operation Hailstorm."
"You've been dealing drugs for many years," U.S. District Court Judge Thomas McAvoy told Clarke at Tuesday's sentencing. "When you pled guilty, the court thought you would at least refrain from your dealings."
Past coverage: Before 'Operation Hailstorm,' Endicott man got nabbed in 2015 drug trafficking bust
Catch up on the case: 'OPERATION HAILSTORM': Meth bust nets federal charges for 10 suspects
In 2015, court records say, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service developed information that prompted search warrants leading to Clarke's arrest. Drugs had been delivered to him through the mail to residences on Monroe Street and Fillmore Avenue in Endicott.
State troopers, Vestal police, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Endicott police K-9 unit carried out an investigation.
Methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana were being acquired through the suspect’s supply connections outside New York State, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Search warrants executed Jan. 9, 2015 by police in Endicott revealed 52 grams of meth, a kilogram of cocaine and 20 pounds of marijuana.
Prosecutors said it was "reasonably foreseeable" to Clarke that more drugs — 250 grams of meth, two kilograms of cocaine and 100 kilograms of marijuana — would be distributed in the Broome County area as part of a "jointly undertaken" criminal activity he was involved with at the time.
Clarke, who has two prior drug felony convictions, pleaded guilty March 9, 2017 in connection with his 2015 arrest.
On Sept. 20, state and federal law enforcement agents executed search warrants as part of the "Operation Hailstorm" case, and Clarke was among 10 people taken into custody.
At the time, court records said, police found Clarke with two illegal handguns — one was loaded — and investigators also obtained video/images showing Clarke sending drug sale proceeds back to his meth supplier in Arizona.
Before ‘Operation Hailstorm,” Endicott man got nabbed in 2015 drug trafficking bust
An Endicott man shipped about 20 packages of drugs to his home over the course of a year until January 2015, prosecutors say, so he could re-package them for sale in Broome County.
Methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana were being acquired through the suspect’s supply connections outside New York State, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Court records say search warrants executed Jan. 9, 2015 by police in Endicott revealed 52 grams of meth, a kilogram of cocaine and 20 pounds of marijuana.
Those drugs were linked to George Clarke, 41, of Endicott, who pleaded guilty March 9 in federal court to a felony count of drug trafficking conspiracy.
Clarke’s arrest from 2015 became part of what local and federal law enforcement agents dubbed “Operation Hailstorm,” a sweeping crystal meth trafficking operation that spanned from New York State to Arizona. It ended Wednesday as indictments were unsealed against 10 defendants.
All but one of the accused were arraigned at Binghamton’s federal courthouse; the other was arrested and jailed in Arizona; and the defendants pleaded not guilty.
The Broome County Sheriff's Office said Clarke was also arrested Wednesday on a federal arrest warrant for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Clarke appeared Wednesday before U.S. District Court Judge David Peebles, who accused him of violating conditional release while awaiting sentencing from his guilty plea in the 2015 drug bust.
Clarke had been using drugs since his March release, Peebles said, and he failed to report for mandatory drug testing.
Defense lawyer Paul Battisti entered a denial of the alleged violations on Clarke's behalf. Clarke was returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshal's Service, while awaiting a bail hearing Monday in federal court.
Two years ago, court records say, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service developed information that prompted search warrants leading to Clarke's arrest. Drugs had been delivered to him through the mail to residences on Monroe Street and Fillmore Avenue in Endicott.
Clarke stood accused of shipping drugs to his residence from January 2014 until January 2015.
State troopers, Vestal police, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Endicott police K-9 unit carried out an investigation.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said it was "reasonably foreseeable" to Clarke that more drugs — 250 grams of meth, two kilograms of cocaine and 100 kilograms of marijuana — would be distributed in the Broome County area as part of a "jointly undertaken" criminal activity he was involved with.
Clarke had to forfeit ownership of a 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche, as well as $5,235 in cash, as part of a plea agreement in March with federal prosecutors.
A drug trafficking conspiracy charge carries a possible 10-year prison term, if convicted. Clarke's sentencing date was tentatively scheduled for Dec. 18.
Before the federal case, court records show, Clarke had already racked up a criminal record of drug charges in Broome County going back to 1999, into 2008. Four convictions involved felony drug sale or attempted sale of a controlled substance.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office identified a prior felony drug conviction from 2008 that sent Clarke to prison for two years as grounds to seek a stiffer penalty in the federal case.
'Dangerous cycle'
Although meth labs had been a target of Southern Tier law enforcement since the late 1980s, a large-scale bust tied to crystal meth being brought into New York State was made in 2006. Police made six arrests — four Broome County residents among them — as part of "Operation Crystal Apple."
Four pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of close to $200,000 were seized during that case.
State police, Vestal and Johnson City officers, along with U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents nabbed a trafficker with "ice" bought from Mexican drug cartels based in Arizona, according to authorities.
This form of the drug, also known as "ice," varied from the traditional powder form of meth.
During Wednesday’s search warrants as part of “Operation Hailstorm” more than 1 ½ pounds of crystal meth were seized by law enforcement. Authorities declared the bust a victory in their ongoing efforts to combat the local drug trade.
“The arrest and indictments…will not only keep harmful narcotics such as methamphetamine off our streets, but they will also put an end to the dangerous cycle of criminal activities that threaten our neighborhoods as a result of these drugs.” New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said in a statement Wednesday.
Man asks to pet police dog while in possession of drugs. (This one made Letterman and got lots of media)
10/05/11
Endicott Police Officer was on a walking post with his Police Dog Tarah when 48 year old Kelly Simpson approached the officer and K9 asking to pet the dog. The officer allowed his K9, Tarah, who is trained to search for narcotics, to be petted by Simpson when Tarah caught the odor of narcotics on Simpson, alerting to Simpson’s right leg boot. Simpson subsequently turned over a personal use quantity of marihuana and was promptly arrested for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana.
Man Busted for Marijuana After Petting K-9
Published at 7:07 am on October 7, 2011
If you have marijuana in your pocket, it's not a good idea to pet a patrolling police dog.
The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin reports that 48-year-old Kelly Simpson was busted Wednesday after he stopped to pet K-9 Tarah, who was on foot patrol with her handler in Endicott.
Police say Tarah smelled marijuana and alerted the officer.
Simpson was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, and released on an appearance ticket.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
Officer.Com
Idiot pets police dog with weed in his pocket.
10-07-2011, 09:13 AM
I see dumb people....
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local...131317779.html
If you have marijuana in your pocket, it's not a good idea to pet a patrolling police dog.
The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin reports that 48-year-old Kelly Simpson was busted Wednesday after he stopped to pet K-9 Tarah, who was on foot patrol with her handler in Endicott.
Police say Tarah smelled marijuana and alerted the officer.
Simpson was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, and released on an appearance ticket.
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Man Busted for Marijuana After Petting K-9
#15190338 - 10/07/11 08:31 AM (8 years, 2 months ago)
If you have marijuana in your pocket, it's not a good idea to pet a patrolling police dog.
The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin reports that 48-year-old Kelly Simpson was busted Wednesday after he stopped to pet K-9 Tarah, who was on foot patrol with her handler in Endicott.
Police say Tarah smelled marijuana and alerted the officer.
Simpson was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, and released on an appearance ticket.
Not much info here, but a decent pic.
Q. How stupid can people be?
A. Very.
Man arrested for possession of cannabis - after petting drug-sniffing police dog
By Meghan Keneally
Updated: 10:58 EST, 8 October 2011
Parents teach children to ask owners before petting a strange dog. A grown man missed that lesson and decided to pet the wrong dog.
Kelly Simpson, 48, petted a police dog who was on patrol with his handler in Endicott, New York, when he seemingly forgot that he had marijuana in his pocket.
After approaching the police dog, named Tarah, Simpson was taken into police custody and questioned.
Man's best friend: Tarah, pictured, has worked for police in Endicott since 2008
He ended up being charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and released with only an appearance ticket.
Unlawful possession of marijuana is deemed a violation in New York, and the punishment for possessing 25 grams of pot or less results in a fine for the first two offences.
The third offence moves increases the classification from a civil citation to a misdemeanor and from there on out any possession charge will result in jail time.
This certainly wasn't Tarah's first foray into crime-fighting.
Tarah first arrived in Endicott, a town near Binghampton in western New York, in 2008 when she was purchased from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Dog Service. She is a certified tracking dog and advanced police narcotics detection dog.
Her training wasn't just any old day at the park.
"Scent it out: the first two citations for people carrying under 25 grams of pot in New York result in civil citations and $100 and $200 fines respectively"
Scent it out: the first two citations for people carrying under 25 grams of pot in New York result in civil citations and $100 and $200 fines respectively
In order to gain a more advanced certificate as a level I and level II Police Narcotics dog, she and her handler, Officer Vanek, had to go through over 140 hours of training.
All of her training makes Tarah the surrogate best in show, as she is the only police K-9 in Broome County to have all four certificates.
No word on whether the ballistic vest is needed in Endicott, but the department's website does say that Tarah 'continues to be a valuable addition to the Endicott Police Force as we continue our fight against drug crimes'.
and edit me. It's easy.