Carmel Man Faces Drug Charge

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of a Carmel man on a charge of drug possession.

On March 3, 2016 at 1:29 a.m., Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Irwin stopped a motorist who had committed traffic violations on Agor Lane in Mahopac. An investigation revealed that the driver, identified as Eric Lopata, 23, of 81 Alona Drive, Carmel was in possession of heroin. The deputy arrested Mr. Lopata and charged him with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a misdemeanor. The defendant was processed at the Putnam County Correctional Facility and released after posting $250.00 cash bail pending a future appearance in the Town of Carmel Justice Court to answer the charge.

If found guilty of the misdemeanor charge, the defendant could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.00.