Here's a look at some of the cases that came before theVillage Court during its July 14, 2010 session.
Bail Amount Set for Man Found with Cocaine
Bawandat Sobhai was in Tarrytown Village Court to try and reduce his bail amount so he could leave county jail.
Sobhai is accused of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree – a class B felony. He was arrested last week after a short investigation by Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Task Force. Officers found 21 clear bags of cocaine in his possession.
Sobhai's attorney noted that the man did not have any prior convictions, was a homeowner and was recently employed. The attorney hoped the court would grant a reduced bail amount.
However, Assistant District Attorney Robert Docherty said he had reservations about reducing the bail amount because of "the level of the offense" and because Sobhai did not live in the immediate vicinity.
Village Justice Kyle McGovern set bail for Sobhai at $2,500 cash and $5,000 bond. According to the Westchester Department of Corrections, Sobhai posted bail – he is no longer in county jail. He is due back in court at a later date.
Arrest Warrant Again Issued for Cohen
Steven Cohen of Monticello, NY, failed to show up in court on Wednesday for the second time in as many weeks.
Cohen was arrested in May for a traffic infraction in Ulster County. A background check revealed that Cohen had skipped bail in Tarrytown over six years ago. He was originally arrested in Tarrytown way back on Oct. 3, 2003, by the Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Task Force. He was found to be in possession of ten packets of heroin as well as two hypodermic needles. He was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and released, but he never returned for his court date.
At court on Wednesday, Cohen's attorney, Janet Gandolfo, made a slight attempt for the court to show leniency, stating that Cohen had made references to finding his own attorney and might have been in Florida for his mother's surgery.
"The problem is he's not here," Village Justice Kyle McGovern said. "And he wasn't here last time."
McGovern put a warrant out for Cohen's arrest.
Bench Warrant for Alleged Heroin Dealer
Ruben Santos, of the Bronx, was arrested in Tarrytown on May 19 at the Bridge Plaza after police allege he was carrying 60 decks of heroin – worth about $1,000 on the street.
In the past, Santos' court-appointed lawyer said that results of lab testing on the substances found in Santos' car increased the likelihood that he will face a reduction in the original charge of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Indeed, Docherty noted that there were offers on the table to reduce the charges leveled against Santos, however he failed to show up in court on Wednesday.
Santos' lawyer asked for a second call in the case, but the man never showed up. Based on his non-appearance, the court issued a bench warrant.
Tong Case Again Delayed
Dr. Thomas Tong was in court again on Wednesday relating to an allegation that he inappropriately touched a minor at his Tarrytown-based dentistry practice.
Tong's case has been pushed back numerous times since he was arrested in December of 2009.
Tong's attorney said the domestic violence bureau's prosecution unit had not been in touch regarding the matter, and that the case would again need to be pushed back.
The court agreed that the DVB had dropped the ball in the matter and adjourned the case until August 4.
Cigarette Thief Serves Time
Riley Farmer, of Elmsford, will spend the next 11 months in county jail.
Last month, Farmer plead guilty to charges of Attempted Grand Larceny in the 4th degree.
Farmer was caught attempting to steal nearly $2,000, or 26 cartons worth, of cigarettes from Walgreens back on April 27.
Farmer violated his probation with the arrest. He has an extensive rap sheet that includes convictions for stealing property and being in possession of narcotics. Most recently, in 2007, Farmer was arrested in Tarrytown for Criminal Sale of a Firearm. Farmer was caught attempting to sell a stolen Glock .40 calibre pistol in exchange for money and drugs. He was also found to be in possession of a .38 Smith and Wesson Revolver.
The department of probation agreed with the sentence meted out by Village Justice Court. Farmer was led away to continue serving his sentence in county.
Tarrytown Criminal Court is in session every Wednesday beginning at 9:00 a.m.
