Three Vermont residents charged with felony drug possession following Columbia County Traffic stop

 K9 Cahill

Claverack, New York – On April 27, 2017, New York State Police from the Livingston barracks arrested 32-year-old Kwesi C. Wilson of Londonderry, Vermont, John C. Watson, 25 years old, of Bennington, Vermont, and Chelsea A. Alexopoulos, age 24, of Pawlet, Vermont, following a traffic stop conducted on the Taconic State Parkway in Claverack.

Troopers stopped a northbound Jeep traveling in excess of 80 miles an hour on the Taconic State Parkway in the area of Route 23.  The investigating trooper observed the odor of marihuana emanating from the vehicle and conducted a lawful search.  With the assistance of K9 Cahill, the vehicle’s occupants were found to possess Ketamine, Cocaine, suboxone, marihuana wax and marihuana.

Wilson, the driver of the vehicle, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rd Degree, a Class B Felony and speeding.

Alexopoulos, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rdDegree, a Class B Felony, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5^th Degree, a Class D Felony, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7^thDegree, a Class A Misdemeanor, and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, a Violation.

Watson was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rdDegree, a Class B Felony and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, a Violation.

All three defendants were arraigned before Judge Brandon of the Town of Claverack Court and remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $15,000 bond.  They are due to reappear in Columbia County Court for a preliminary hearing on May 4, 2017.

                

Alexopoulos                        Watson                           Wilson