Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of a Mahopac man on felony drug charges following an investigation by members of the Narcotics Enforcement Unit (NEU).

In April of this year, a Deputy Sheriff assigned to the NEU developed information that a male suspect was selling heroin in Mahopac. Over the next several weeks the deputy made contact with the suspect and arranged to purchase heroin from him on several occasions. On June 10th of this year, members of the NEU observed the suspect driving along Route 6 in the vicinity of Miller Road. The suspect was stopped and taken into custody for the narcotics sales. A search of the vehicle yielded a quantity of prepackaged heroin secreted in a cigarette package under a seat. Simultaneously, other members of the NEU executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence and seized an additional quantity of heroin.The suspect is identified as James Hennessey, 45, of 47 Union Valley Road, Mahopac. Mr. Hennessey was arrested and charged with four counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and with six counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, felonies. Mr. Hennessey was arraigned before Town of Carmel Justice Thomas Jacobellis and committed to the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000.00 cash bail pending a future court appearance to answer the charges.

If found guilty 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 for each charge.