Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports that a man and woman are facing drug possession and child endangerment charges after authorities executed a search warrant at their Mahopac home.

Mr. Samuel L. Shuler, aged 36, and Ms. Leia A. Randolph, aged 28, of 424 Baldwin Place Road in Mahopac, were arrested on October 19^th when members of the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Unit (NEU) and federal probation officials conducted a search of their home, which is located across the street from the entrance to the Mahopac Middle School campus. Authorities reportedly found more than two pounds of marihuana in the home, along with a quantity of 9-millimeter pistol ammunition, drug packaging materials, scales and cash.

Authorities obtained the search warrant following an NEU investigation into suspected illegal drug activity by Mr. Shuler and Ms. Randolph at the home. The federal probation officials became involved in the case because Mr. Shuler is currently under probation supervision for a previous conviction on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine back in 2004.

At the time of the search, Mr. Shuler and Ms. Randolph were in the home, and with them was the couple’s 9-month-old son. In light of the illicit drug activity and the drugs found within the home, authorities charged the pair with endangering the welfare of a child. After the couple’s arrest, the child was temporarily turned over to the care of a relative.

The defendants were arraigned before Carmel Town Justice Joseph Spofford. Mr. Shuler was ordered remanded to the county jail in lieu of $50,000.00 cash bail or bail bond; he remains held in the jail as of the time of this News Release. Ms. Randolph had her bail set in the amount of $10,000.00 cash or $20,000.00 bail bond; she posted the bond to secure her release later on the same day.

The drug charge–criminal possession of marihuana in the second degree–is a class D felony punishable by up to four years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.00 upon conviction. The child endangerment charge is a class A misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and a $1,000.00 fine.