NORWICH – Two suspected drug dealers appeared in Norwich City Court Tuesday with separate attorneys and were handed over to face a grand jury later this month.
Michael Victor, 28, and Curissa Jenkins, 20, both residents of 31 Hickok Ave., were arrested Friday after police stormed two apartments in the City of Norwich, both allegedly belonging to the two defendants.
Of the two apartments raided, prosecutors said the defendants resided at one location and kept their crack cocaine, marijuana and drug business at the other, located in the rear apartment of 72 Plymouth St.
Police discovered more than 11 ounces of marijuana, an unknown amount of crack cocaine and several thousand dollars of bundled cash at the second apartment. Police also said they uncovered a small amount of crack cocaine from Victor’s pants at Hickok Ave. and a quantity of marijuana in the bedroom.
In court, Victor’s attorney, William H. Schebaum of Oneonta, claimed his client was at the location during the raid, but that neither residence was his legal address. He also said that the drugs found at both locations didn’t have anything to do with his client.
At the hearing, Police Officer Michael A. Purdy said they also found a loaded 12-gauge shotgun in the corner of the master bedroom.
“There’s no evidence, whatsoever, that he was in possession of whatever they found. The firearm or any substances just being in the room is certainly not grounds for the charges,” said Schebaum.
At last Friday’s arraignments in Norwich City Court, both Jenkins and Victor said they were represented by the same lawyer, Schebaum; however the two seemed to have split as only Victor appeared with the retained attorney at Monday’s proceedings, while Jenkins has been assigned Public Defender John D. Cameron instead.
Before court began, City Court Judge James Downey asked if the prosecution and the defense had any objection to holding a joint co-defendant felony hearing for the pair. District Attorney Joseph A. McBride objected, saying, “I’d prefer it if the defendants had their own, but in the interest of time we’ll do whatever the court deems appropriate,” he said.
Schebaum also raised concern, saying he only represented Victor. “One issue is that the defendants may have different positions, judge,” he said.
