NORWICH – Eleven individuals charged with a variety of felony and misdemeanor crimes appeared in county court Monday, eight pleading not guilty to the charges brought against them and three others sentenced to state prison time.
The following individuals pleaded not guilty:
• Barry L.E. Rattley, 28, Brooklyn, pleaded not guilty to two counts each of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony; and fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony.
It’s alleged that Rattley, on or about Oct. 30, 2012 in the City of Norwich, knowingly and unlawfully possessed 102 glassine envelopes of the narcotic drug heroin – as well as 20 individual plastic wraps of the narcotic drug cocaine – according to his indictment.
Rattley was also indicted in October on unrelated charges of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony; and fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony. According to that indictment, Rattley, in August of 2012 in the City of Norwich, did knowingly and unlawfully possess – with the intent to sell – 21 glassine envelopes containing the narcotic heroin, as well as four plastic wraps containing the narcotic cocaine, with an aggregate weight of .65 grams.
Rattley appeared in county court in December to argue a motion to defend himself at all future court proceedings. Acting Chenango County Court Judge Julie A. Campbell, at that time, said she “couldn’t imagine” why Rattley would want to proceed without counsel considering the seriousness of the charges brought against him. As a potential persistent felon due to his criminal history, Rattley could face up to two life sentences in state prison if convicted on both criminal possession indictments.
• Dustin M. Curtis, 27, Smithville, pleaded not guilty to charges of first degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a class E felony; driving while intoxicated, a class E felony; and fourth degree criminal mischief, a class A misdemeanor.
Curtis was indicted by a Chenango County grand jury in February, accused of unlawful operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and while knowing – or having reason to know – that his NYS driver’s license was revoked or suspended, on or about Jan. 20, 2013 in the Town of Smithville. It is also alleged that he intentionally damaged a cell phone belonging to another individual in an attempt to prevent that individual from contacting 911, according to his indictment, and was observed swaying while he walked, speaking with a slurred voice, having bloodshot and watery eyes, and smelling strongly of alcohol prior to his arrest. He has two prior alcohol-related convictions stemming from May of 2006 in the Town of Greene Court and September of 2007 in Chenango County Court, convicted both times for driving while intoxicated.
• Fred W. Gumaer, 45, Norwich, pleaded not guilty to one count of failure to register or verify as a sex offender, a class E felony.
It’s alleged that Gumaer, on or about Sept. 17, 2012, did knowingly create an e-mail account and Internet identifier on Facebook and – as of Oct. 11 – had not registered any current Internet identifiers with the Sex Offender Unit, according to Division of Criminal Justice Services records and his grand jury indictment.
• Thomas J. Kopec Jr., 27, Norwich, pleaded not guilty to one count of first degree criminal contempt, a class E felony.
According to his indictment, Kopec is accused of violating a duly served order of protection issued by Chenango County Court on Sept. 24, telephoning the protected party and threatening to kill that individual and himself on or about Jan. 29, 2013 in the Village of Sherburne. He had been ordered to refrain from any and all criminal offenses involving the alleged victim, according to his indictment.
• Ariana L. Edwards, 35, Binghamton, pleaded not guilty to charges of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony; tampering with physical evidence, a class E felony; and seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor.
It’s alleged that Edwards, on or about Sept. 3, 2012 in the City of Norwich and in concert with another, knowingly and unlawfully possessed six individual plastic wraps of the narcotic cocaine, with the intent to sell. Furthermore, it’s alleged that Edwards attempted to intentionally prevent the discovery of the narcotics, as well as a hypodermic instrument, concealing them internally, according to her indictment.
