News Release
May 12, 2006
Contact: DEA Public Affairs

Drug Task Force Nets 19 Arrests in Montgomery County

MAY 12 -- Special Agent in Charge John P. Gilbride of the New York Field Division Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Montgomery County Sheriff Michael J. Amato, Chief Thomas Brownell of the Amsterdam Police Department, Chief William J. Beevers of the Canajoharie Police Department, Chief Robert Thomas of the Fort Plain Police Department, Chief William Stack of the Saint Johnsville Police Department and the New York State Police announce the conclusion of a 9-month investigation into the illegal use, sale, manufacture and transportation of illegal drugs in Montgomery County, which led to 19 arrests.

"The results of this investigation mean we have successfully identified and removed some of the dangerous drug dealers, users and distributors of Montgomery County. I applaud the work of this multi-agency task force and its ability to make such a lasting impact by the arrest of these individuals in order to make Montgomery County a safer place," said Gilbride.

In June of 2005 the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Mobile Enforcement Team (MET). The Mobile Enforcement Team (MET) program was created by the DEA in early 1995 as a response to the overwhelming problem of drug-related violent crime that plagues neighborhoods and communities throughout the United States. The challenges facing law enforcement today are daunting. The MET program helps local law enforcement entities attack the violent drug organizations in their neighborhoods and restores a safer environment for the residents of these communities.

"The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with the Drug Task Force and every Law Enforcement Agency in the County to ensure a better living environment for all County residents. We take the illegal drug business very serious and the success of this investigation will enhance future arrests and investigations. I am very proud of the work accomplished by this task force and the progress our drug investigations have made", stated Sheriff Michael J. Amato.

From August of 2005 to May 11, 2006 through cooperation with the Montgomery County Drug Task Force, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and DEA MET, the following arrests have been made:

• David Bonaparte-Age-43
  1527 Elm Street
  Utica , NY
  CSCS 3 rd Degree-$30,000 cash bail-Village of Canajoharie Court

• Casey Ponte-Age-20
  1913 Wagners Hollow Road
  Fort Plain, NY 13339
  CSCS 3 rd Degree-$30,000 cash bail-Town of Minden Court

• Anthony Delgado-Age-16
  25 River Street
  Fort Plain, NY 13339
  CSCS 3 rd Degree-$30,000 cash bail-Town of Minden Court

• Richard Herron-Age-27
  290 Hayner Road
  Richfield Springs, NY
  CSCS 3 rd Degree-$30,000 cash bail-Village of Canajoharie Court

• Dawn Ovit-Age-29
  304 E. Main Street
  Amsterdam, NY 12010
  CSCS 3 rd Degree-$30,000 cash bail-City of Amsterdam Court

• Brett Darcangelis- Age-26
  47 Shultze Street
  Canajoharie, NY 13317
  CSCS 3 rd Degree-$30,000 cash bail-Town of Palatine Court

• Daniel Rhinehart-Age-17
  6 Lincoln Street
  Fort Plain, NY 13339
  Criminal Sale of Marihuana 2 nd Degree-Town of Minden Court
  $15,000 cash bail-Town of Minden Court

• Diane Flores-Age-46
  158 Guy Park Avenue
  Amsterdam, NY 12010
  CSCS 3 rd Degree-$30,000 cash bail-City of Amsterdam Court

• Dwayne Johnson-Age-25
  49 Prospect Street
  Amsterdam, NY 12010
  CSCS 3 rd Degree-$30,000 cash bail-City of Amsterdam Court

• Nelson Ruiz-Age-22
  35 Elk Street
  Amsterdam, NY 12010
  CSCS 3 rd Degree-$30,000 cash bail-City of Amsterdam Court

• Joshua Fabosky-Age-19
  42 Union Street
  Amsterdam, NY 12010
  CSCS 3 rd Degree-$30,000 cash bail-City of Amsterdam

• Javier Miranda-Age-21
  60 Division Street
  Amsterdam, NY 12010
  CSCS 3 rd Degree-$30,000 cash bail-City of Amsterdam Court

• Raul Cruz-Age-24
  12 Wilson Ave.
  Amsterdam, NY 12010
  CSCS 3 rd Degree-$30,000 cash bail-City of Amsterdam Court

• Randall Overton-Age-23
  24 Lark Street
  Amsterdam, NY 12010
  CSCS 3 rd Degree-$30,000 cash bail-City of Amsterdam Court

• Denise Watkins-Age-40
  298 E. Main Street
  Amsterdam, NY 12010
  CSCS 3 rd Degree-$30,000 cash bail-City of Amsterdam

• Chad Battisti-Age 27
  30 W. Grand Street
  Palatine Bridge, NY 13428
  Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1 st Degree
  Arrested- 2/1/2006

• Linda Horning-Age-23
  30 W. Grand Street
  Palatine Bridge, NY 13428
  Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1 st Degree
  Arrested- 2/1/2006

• Vincent Failing- Age-21
  614 St. Hwy. 80
  Fort Plain, NY 13339
  Criminal Possession of Meth Manufacturing Materials
  Criminal Possession of Precursors of Meth
  Arrested- 3/15/2006

• Brett L. Darcangelis- Age-26
  47 Shultze Street
  Canajoharie, NY 13317
  Criminal Possession of Marihuana 4 th Degree
  Arrested- 4/19/2006

Further charges are pending and investigations regarding illegal drug involvement will continue.

This investigation is being prosecuted by Montgomery County District Attorney James "Jed" Conboy.