Six snared in Moriah drug raid

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October 15, 2008

By LOHR McKINSTRY The Press Republican Wed Oct 15, 2008, 12:00 AM EDT

MORIAH -- An early morning drug raid in Moriah and Ticonderoga Tuesday snared six people authorities say were selling cocaine, marijuana and prescription drugs.

After a six-month investigation into alleged drug-dealing in Moriah, the Essex County Drug Task Force arrested four residents of Moriah's Mineville and Witherbee hamlets, along with one Ticonderoga and one Malone resident.

Drug buys were allegedly made by an undercover agent who tried to infiltrate the local trade, police said.

Those charged were:

Brian J. Simard, 33, of Witherbee, two counts of felony third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. He was arraigned in Moriah Town Court and sent to Essex County Jail when he couldn't pay $20,000 bail or $40,000 bail-bond.

Curtis J. Manley, 26, of Mineville, two counts of felony third-degree criminal sale of marijuana. Manley turned himself in. He was arraigned in Moriah Court and jailed when he didn't pay $20,000 bail or $40,000 bond.

Thomas D. Celotti, 27, of Mineville, felony fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, felony third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, misdemeanor fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana and the violation of unlawfully dealing with fireworks. Celotti was arraigned in Moriah Court, where he posted $1,500 cash bail and was released.

Leon R. Wood, 48, of Witherbee, felony third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Wood was arraigned in Moriah Court and sent to jail in lieu of $20,000 bail or $40,000 bond.

Nathan J. Thatcher, 24, of Ticonderoga, felony third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Thatcher was arraigned in Ticonderoga Town Court and went to jail in lieu of $15,000 bail or $30,000 bond.

Amy E. Clark, 29, of Malone, two counts of felony third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Her arraignment is pending.

Essex County District Attorney Julie Garcia said more arrests are pending.

"We are consistently receiving tips from concerned citizens regarding drug activity in our county. These tips lead to successful prosecutions. Although we have seen a decline in the number of people selling drugs in our county, we remain diligent in our efforts to eradicate this problem. It appears our efforts are paying off."

The Essex County Task Force consists of the Essex County District Attorney's Office, State Police, Essex County Sheriff's Department, Ticonderoga Town Police, Lake Placid Village Police and Saranac Lake Village Police.

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at:

lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com