INDICTMENT IN DRUGGED DRIVING CASE

DELHI — District Attorney Shawn Smith announced that Keith Audette, 49, of Hamden, New York, was indicted for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs by the Delaware County Grand Jury on June 6, 2024.     

The Indictment accuses the defendant of driving while his ability was impaired by drugs, which is a Class E Felony. The indictment alleges that on April 9, 2024, Keith R. Audette, was driving in the Village of Walton while his ability to operate that motor vehicle was impaired by methamphetamines. Audette was previously convicted of operating a motor vehicle with .08 of 1% alcohol or more in his blood in 2015 in Chenango County. This previous charge led to the requirement of an interlock system to be used prior to driving as well as restrictions on his license.

The defendant is also charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree, a Class E Felony, as well as Operating a Motor Vehicle without an Interlock Device, a Class A Misdemeanor.

District Attorney Smith commended Officer Kathryn Mitchell of the Village of Walton Police Department along with Deputy Justin Mohr, a certified Drug Recognition Expert, for their thorough investigation into this case. 

Chief Assistant District Attorney Richard D. Northrup Jr. presented the case to the Grand Jury.

Indictments and Criminal Complaints are allegations, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. 

Shawn J. Smith 

District Attorney 

Delaware County