ITHACA, N.Y. — Three men were sentenced Friday in the Tompkins County Court for committing drug crimes in Groton, Ithaca and Trumansburg.
The cases involved a man found with 82 grams of heroin in Ithaca, a Groton man who was found with methamphetamine-making materials and a man in Trumansburg who was found with illegally owned guns and drugs.
Read about the cases below.
Man found with 82 grams of heroin in Ithaca
An Ithaca man was arrested in March after giving police a false identity during a traffic stop. Police say they discovered Stevaun Punter Jr. had given his brother’s name because his driving privileges had been revoked due to prior drug charges.
Upon this discovery, police say they pulled Punter over the next day, and a search led to the discovery of multiple bags of heroin and cocaine in Punter’s possession. Documents show Punter had approximately 82 grams of heroin on him upon his arrest.
Despite a plea from Punter to postpone sentencing until after the holidays, the request was denied by Judge John Rowley. Punter was convicted of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and will serve the minimum sentence of two years in prison with three years of probation.
Related — Police: Man found with heroin, cocaine in Ithaca
Man found with meth-making materials in Groton
A Groton man was arrested in May after a routine parole visit led officers to find methamphetamine making materials.
Brian Mahan, 43, was paid a visit by his parole officer, who found a backpack full of items consistent with ingredients to manufacture and produce methamphetamine.
After this discovery, New York State Police and a Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team conducted a search after a warrant was executed. Records show that lab equipment was then found, including plastic bottles, coffee filters, plastic tubes, funnels, and ventilation devices. Police also say they found other ingredients such as ephedrine precursors and ether solvents.
Court documents show that Mahan had admitted to making methamphetamine prior to this arrest, and plead guilty to second-degree unlawful manufacture of meth upon this discovery.
He was sentenced Friday afternoon to a three-and-a-half year incarceration period with a three-year probation.
“I apologize to the courts for being here once again,” Mahan stated. “I just want to get back to my sober life.”
Related: Update: Police find meth-making materials at Groton apartment
Illegal handguns found during drug arrest in Trumansburg
A Trumansburg man was arrested in February after a search warrant, where police say they found over two ounces of heroin, almost half an ounce of crack cocaine, and nearly two ounces of cocaine. Records also show Miller was in possession of three loaded handguns.
Miller plead guilty on Oct. 24 to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
During the hearing, Miller said, “I lost my way, and I apologize to the community if I harmed anyone.”
Judge Rowley sentenced Miller to and incarceration period of six years for the substance charges, with an additional four years for the charges against the weapons. These will be served consecutively.
Related: Trumansburg man pleads guilty to drug, gun possession charges
