Two Suffolk County residents charged with drug possession following Pleasant Valley traffic stop for seatbelt violation

Pleasant Valley, New York – On May 8, 2017, New York State Police from the Stormville barracks arrested 21-year-old Daniel H. Balmer, and Brianna M. Antonawich, 21 years old, both of Copiague, New York, following a traffic stop conducted on the Taconic State Parkway.

Troopers stopped a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu traveling northbound on the Taconic State Parkway when they observed the driver not wearing a seatbelt.  While interviewing the driver of the vehicle, who was identified as Balmer, Troopers detected an odor of marihuana emanating from the vehicle.  A subsequent investigation revealed that Balmer possessed cocaine and marihuana.  Antonawich possessed marihuana, cocaine, concentrated cannabis, and psilocybin mushrooms.

Antonawich was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 4^thDegree, a Class C Felony, three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7^th Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor, and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, a Violation.  Balmer was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7^th Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, a Violation.

Both defendants were arraigned in the Town of Pleasant Valley Court before the Honorable Judge Vasti and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail or $2,500 bond.  They are scheduled to reappear in the Pleasant Valley Court on May 18, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.