Complaints of constant drug sales from a Marbletown home sparked an investigation that led to the arrest of five people on Friday, the Ulster County Sheriff's Office reports.
On Friday, Feb. 21, members of the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT) executed a search warrant at 126 Vly Atwood Road in Stone Ridge, in the town of Marbletown. In the search, police found about a half-ounce of cocaine, ecstasy tablets, MDMA powder (also known as "Molly"), ketamine powder ("Special K," a controlled sedative), marijuana, drug packaging material, scales with cocaine residue on them, "cutting agents" used to dilute drugs, cutting paraphernalia and other drug paraphernalia. Police also seized cash, three rifles, two shotguns and a large amount of ammunition.
Five people were arrested during the search. Three were residents of the house: 29-year-old Steven Schmitt and 51-year-old Burton Aldrich, who both face multiple drug felony charges, and another resident, who faces a misdemeanor drug possession charge. Two Olivebridge residents were arrested on low-level marijuana possession charges. Two other people were also questioned and released at the scene.
The two facing the most serious charges, Schmitt and Aldrich, were arraigned in Marbletown town court before Justice Mark Glick. Both were remanded to the Ulster County Jail: Schmitt with no bail, and Aldrich in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond. The other three arrested were released on appearance tickets to appear in Marbletown court at a later date.
Schmitt is charged with:
- Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, a class B felony
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, a class B felony
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th degree, a class C felony
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th degree
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree
- Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd degree
- Criminal Possession of Marihuana 4th degree
Aldrich is charged with:
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5th degree, a class D felony
- Conspiracy 4th degree, a class E felony
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree
- Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd degree
- Criminal Nuisance 2nd degree
- Unlawful Possession of Marihuana
The investigation is ongoing, and further charges are likely, police say.
The following agencies have members assigned to URGENT: Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Woodstock Police, Town of Lloyd Police, Town of Shandaken Police, Ulster County Probation, Town of Plattekill Police, Town of New Paltz Police and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
