Otego man faces Rx drug charge
An Otego man on probation in a drug case again has been charged with drug possession, Otsego County deputies said Friday.
Richard Wayne Talbot Jr., 58, was charged Thursday with seventh-degree possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, after allegedly possessing nonprescribed hydrocodone, a narcotic, deputies said in a media released. Wayne previously was convicted in Otsego County Court of attempted fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, deputies said.
According to the release, probation officers Christopher Farrell and Daniel Naughton conducted an unscheduled home visit Tuesday night on Talbot Jr. and found Talbot to possession 14 Lortab tablets and drug paraphernalia.
Talbot was arrested at the Probation Department, was arraigned by Oneonta Town Judge Bruce A. Smith and sent to Otsego County jail on $2,500 bail, pending appearance in the Otego Town Court on Thursday.
The Probation Department will be filing a violation of probation charge against Talbot Jr., the release said.
Troopers: Area shops pass booze stings
Twelve businesses recently passed muster with state police at Oneonta, Richfield Springs and Sidney who were checking for sales of alcohol to minors.
The troopers’ Underage Drinking Enforcement detail checked businesses throughout Chenango, Delaware and Otsego counties Nov. 24, a media release said.
The 12 checked establishments in Afton, Bainbridge, Sidney and Unadilla were in compliance with laws prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages to underaged persons.
Two accused of check forgery
Two area residents were arrested on felony charges after a check belonging to another party was cashed, state police at Oneonta said Thursday.
Brian J. Hassick, 34, of Cooperstown, and Cheryl A. Rifenbark, 33, of Westford, were charged Wednesday with second-degree possession of a forged instrument, troopers said.
Hassick was arraigned in Oneonta Town Court and released on recognizance, pending appearance in Otsego Town Court on Dec. 3, troopers said.
Rifenbark was arraigned in Westford Town Court and sent in lieu of $500 cash bail to Otsego County jail, where officials said she remained Thursday afternoon, pending re-appearance in Westford court Dec. 4.
Rifenbark is accused of giving the check to Hassick, which he allegedly helped cash, troopers said.
