On Tuesday evening, November 8th, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested two New York City men on felony marijuana possession charges following a traffic stop on State Highway 17 in the Town of Hancock.

Deputies observed and subsequently stopped a speeding, west bound vehicle operated by 20 year old Messiah J. Ortiz of New York City.  Upon approaching the vehicle the Deputy noted a marijuana odor emanating from the vehicle’s interior.  Further investigation and a search of the vehicle and its occupants by Deputies led to the seizure of approximately one pound of marijuana and over $2500 cash after Sheriff’s Office’ narcotics detection K-9 “Ozzie” alerted on the odor of narcotics emanating from the cash.

Deputies and investigators subsequently arrested and charged Ortiz and his 26 year old passenger, Michael A. Lewis, also of New York City, with Criminal Possession of Marihuana in the Third Degree, a class E felony.

Investigation revealed that Ortiz and Lewis were traveling from New York City to Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden, NY, where they had intended to sell the marijuana.

Ortiz and Lewis were arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court where they were remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility in lieu of $15,000 cash/$30,000 secured bond.

Messiah Ortiz (Credit: Delaware County Sheriff's Office)
Messiah Ortiz (Credit: Delaware County Sheriff's Office)
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Michael Lewis (Credit: Delaware County Sheriff's Office)
Michael Lewis (Credit: Delaware County Sheriff's Office)
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