CARMEL – A resident of Sullivan County is being held at the Putnam Correctional Facility without bail on a variety of drug and weapons charges following his arrest in Putnam Valley.
Sheriff Brian Hess identified the suspect on Wednesday as 42-year-old Jon Vena of Bethel.
The sheriff reported members of his department’s Conditions Unit observed a vehicle traveling on Bryant Pond Road with the driver not wearing a seatbelt. Deputies stopped the car and observed drug paraphernalia and suspected narcotics inside the vehicle. Further investigation resulted in the recovery of a quantity of fentanyl, alprazolam (Xanax), metal knuckles, and a sawed-off 20-gauge shotgun along with several imitation air pistols that had been spray-painted black. Vena was also found to be operating the vehicle while his state driver’s license was revoked.
Vena was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell; criminal possession of a narcotic drug; criminal possession of a weapon with a previous conviction; criminal possession of a firearm;
aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle as well as a number of traffic law infractions.
Vena was arraigned in Putnam Valley Town Court and was remanded to jail due to several previous felony convictions.
The top charge carries a 25-year state prison term if found guilty.
Comments