Conviction, Prison Sentence in Drug Case

DELHI – District Attorney Shawn J. Smith announced that Dustin R. Cole, 31, of Rotterdam, New York, pleaded guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Sell, and was sentenced to 4 years in state prison and 2 years of post-release supervision in Delaware County Court on June 10, 2025.  

On February 28, 2025, Cole was observed by NYS Trooper Siobhan Carey to make an incomplete stop at a stop sign in the Village of Stamford.  After being pulled over, Cole showed signs of impairment.  Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were conducted, and Cole was found to be impaired.  He admitted to using cocaine that morning.  A bag with a white substance was found in his vehicle and later tested positive for cocaine.  It weighed over 1.5 ounces.  State Police also discovered a digital scale and several empty glassine envelopes.  Trooper Carey also located $2,141.00 in U.S. currency on the defendant’s person.  

Cole appeared in Delaware County Court on June 10th and pleaded guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Sell in the Third Degree, a Class C Felony.  Pursuant to a negotiated disposition, he was sentenced by the Honorable John L. Hubbard to four years of incarceration and two years of post-release supervision.  The defendant was also ordered to forfeit the $2,141.00 to the District Attorney’s office.  This money will now be used to fund additional drug investigations.

District Attorney Shawn Smith commended State Trooper Siobhan Carey and Investigator Adam Cernauskas for their work on this case.  “This case started as a simple traffic violation, but thanks to Trooper Carey’s professional investigation, she was able to locate the dangerous drugs and make an arrest. This defendant lost the $2,141 he made from selling illegal drugs in our area, and he is now on his way to state prison.  I am committed to working with law enforcement to ensure that EVERY drug dealer is removed from Delaware County.”

Shawn J. Smith

District Attorney

Delaware County