Conviction in Fentanyl Dealing Case

DELHI – District Attorney Shawn Smith announced today that Charles A. Walsh, 30, of Sidney, New York, was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B Felony in Delaware County Court on May 28, 2024. 

The defendant appeared in Delaware County Court on May 28, 2024, for a court conference.  At the conclusion of the conference, the defendant pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B Felony.  Prior to pleading guilty, the defendant admitted that he knowingly and unlawfully possessed fentanyl in the Village of Sidney on February 6, 2024.  The defendant further admitted that he intended to sell that fentanyl.  The defendant is also required to forfeit the cash that was seized when he was arrested by the New York State Police.  Those proceeds will be used by law enforcement to investigate other drug dealers. 

This guilty plea was entered as part of a negotiated disposition wherein it is anticipated that the defendant will be sentenced to 5 and 1/2 years in state prison, to be followed by 2 years of post-release supervision. After the defendant entered his guilty plea, the Honorable John L. Hubbard, Delaware County Court Judge, remanded the defendant to the custody of the Delaware County Correctional Facility pending his sentencing, which is scheduled for July 10, 2024. 

District Attorney Smith commended the investigation conducted by the New York State Police Violent Gangs and Narcotics Enforcement Team, specifically Investigators Robert Quick and Patrick Finn. Smith stated, “Their dedicated efforts successfully prevented a large quantity of dangerous drugs from being sold in our community.  As a result of their thorough police investigation, my office was able to secure a conviction without the need for a trial.” 

As are all persons accused of a crime, this defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.