Carmel Man Faces Drug Charges
Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of Larry J. James, aged 38, of 238 Nichols Street, Carmel on multiple charges.
On October 21, 2015 at approximately 9:50 p.m., members of the Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit (NEU) stopped a motorist who failed to stop for a red light on Route 52 in the Town of Carmel. The driver of the vehicle, subsequently identified as James, refused to comply with the deputies’ verbal commands. James then fled the scene in his vehicle, nearly striking one deputy, who leaped out of the path of the vehicle to avoid being struck. A second deputy, who had been reaching into the vehicle in an attempt to pull the keys from the ignition, was struck by the door column of the vehicle as James sped away from the scene. James then drove at a high rate of speed down Route 301 to Peekskill Hollow Road. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle but then decided to discontinue the pursuit due to safety concerns. Fortunately, the deputies were not injured. A bulletin was broadcast to area police agencies to be on the lookout for James’ vehicle.
James had been facing felony charges of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, felonies, as a result of an investigation into his sales of cocaine in Mahopac.
On October 23, 2015 at approximately 10:00 a.m., members of the NEU learned of a possible location in the Village of Ossining where James could be found. Investigators and Deputy Sheriffs from the NEU travelled to Ossining and, with the assistance of officers from the Ossining Police Department, located the residence where James was reported to have been staying. The officers contacted the owner of the residence, who confirmed that James was present in the residence, and persuaded James to exit the residence without incident. James was arrested and charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a felony; Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a felony; Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a felony; Reckless Driving, a misdemeanor; and numerous vehicle and traffic violations.
It was determined that James has been convicted of numerous felonies in the past and is currently on parole in New York State. James was arraigned before Town of Carmel Justice Joseph Spofford and remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility where he is held without bail.
If found guilty of the most serious of the felony charges, the defendant could face up to 25 years in a New York State Correctional Facility and a fine of up to $30,000.00.
