Guilty Plea in Drug Case

DELHI – Delaware County District Attorney Shawn J. Smith announced that Gage Pankiewicz, 23, of Walton, New York pled guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, a Class D Felony, in Delaware County Court on January 21, 2025.

On September 4, 2024, deputies of the Delaware County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at a residence in the Village of Walton on suspicion of drug trafficking. Forcible entry was made, and deputies arrested Gage Pankiewicz, among other suspects. During the search, suspected narcotics later confirmed to be methamphetamine, was recovered by deputies along with a blue substance later confirmed to be fentanyl. Deputies also recovered packaging, scales, and a rifle. 

On January 21, 2025, Gage Pankiewicz pled guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, a Class D Felony.  Judge John L. Hubbard of the Delaware County Court accepted the guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for March 18, 2025. Per the negotiated plea agreement, it is expected that Mr. Pankiewicz will be sentenced to a term of five years of felony probation supervision. 

District Attorney Shawn Smith thanked law enforcement for their efforts, “I want to thank Senior Investigator Chris Erwin, Investigator David Barnes, Major John Demeo, Corporal Kyle Karcher and Deputies Zachary Finch, Kyle Karcher, and Robert Mantzouratos for their work on this case. Searching drug houses such as these is never safe, and I am glad that their work has resulted in this conviction.”

DA Smith continued, “My office will continue to partner with law enforcement to remove illegal drugs from our community.  

As are all defendants, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.