The following items are based on information provided by officials in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Any person(s) charged with an offense or offenses are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Catskill
Drugs: Michael Johnson, 46, of Brooklyn; and Chuan Pin Tsuei, 48, of Athens, were arrested by state police at Catskill at 12:33 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. Johnson was charged with the felonies of criminal possession of a controlled substance (stimulant with intent to sell), criminal possession of a controlled substance (cocaine, 500 mg), and tampering with physical evidence (conceal destroy, five counts) as well as the misdemeanors of criminal possession of a controlled substance (five counts), manufacture of drug-related paraphernalia, criminal use of drug paraphernalia (scales) and criminal use of drug paraphernalia (package). Tsuei was charged with misdemeanors of criminal possession of a controlled substance and manufacturing drug-related paraphernalia. Johnson and Tsuei were released with tickets for Catskill Town Court.
DWI: Natalie L. Bellerose, 19, of Catskill, was arrested by state police at Catskill at 8:49 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, and charged with the misdemeanors of driving with a blood-alcohol content at or exceeding 0.08% and driving while intoxicated. Bellerose was released with tickets for Catskill Village Court.
Marbletown
Assault: Garrison S. Benz, 32, of Kingston, was arrested by state police at Ulster at 4:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, and charged with the felonies of assault and reckless endangerment, and the misdemeanors of acting in a manner injurious to a child under 17 and criminal possession of a weapon (intent to use). Benz was sent to Ulster County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Rhinebeck
Contempt: Lois Smith, 80, of Rhinecliff, was arrested by state police at Rhinebeck at 7:02 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, and charged with the misdemeanors of criminal contempt of a court order and obstruction of governmental administration. Smith was released with tickets for Rhinebeck Town Court.