NORWICH – A number of defendants pleaded guilty to wide variety of felony level crimes in Chenango County Court Monday, including an admitted marijuana dealer asking for leniency without any plea bargain.
• Michael F. Dibbell, 51, New Berlin, pleaded guilty to second degree criminal possession of marijuana, a D class felony. Just prior to his plea, Dibbell had his attorney, Public Defender Alan Gordon, request additional time to prepare for trial. The case was set to go before a jury this week. Gordon asked Chenango County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan to grant an adjournment so Dibbell could hire private counsel and prepare for trial.
Sullivan denied the request, saying the defendant had been aware his trial was scheduled for more than a month. Immediately following the denial, Dibbell told the judge he would be willing to plead guilty to the only count against him Monday and seek judicial diversion, a program that allows leniency for those suffering from substance abuse.
Sullivan accepted the plea, but told Dibbell he would have to apply for the program without any guarantees – if he was denied he could face a maximum of four years in prison.
District Attorney Joseph McBride said Dibbell had similar past felony convictions involving drugs.
Dibbell was originally indicted for the same charge he pleaded guilty to, criminal possession of marijuana.
The Town of New Berlin Police Department arrested Dibbell on Sept. 2, confiscating 35 maturing marijuana plants from his home that produced more than a pound of the drug.
Dibbell’s property along County Route 28 was raided by the New Berlin PD and the New York State Police said he was originally charged in the case with growing cannabis, a misdemeanor.
Officers searched the 70-acre property with the aid of a helicopter and allegedly seized marijuana plants, estimated to have a street value of $25,000 to $35,000.
Police said many of the maturing plants were around 6 to 7 feet tall and were hidden among thick foliage and thorn bushes about quarter of mile into a wooded area.
