Sidney Drug Dealer Sentenced to State Prison

DELHI, NY - Delaware County Acting District Attorney Shawn J. Smith announced that Thomas J. Wright, Jr., 36, of Sidney New York, was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, with Intent to Sell, a Class B Felony on May 15, 2023. 

Wright appeared in Delaware County Court on Monday, May 15, and pleaded guilty to Possessing Methamphetamine with the Intent to Sell, a Class B Felony. Wright was alleged to have possessed over two ounces of methamphetamine. During the plea proceedings, the defendant admitted that he had been selling methamphetamine in the Town of Sidney.  

After entering his guilty plea, the Honorable Gary A. Rosa, Acting Delaware County Court Judge, sentenced the defendant to 4 years in state prison, to be followed by 2 years of post-release supervision. The defendant was then remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility without bail, pending his transfer to State Prison.  

This defendant was indicted with co-defendant Alexa Tefft.  Tefft previously pleaded guilty to Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a Class D Felony.  During Tefft’s plea proceedings, Tefft admitted to recklessly endangering the life of her one-year-old child by permitting the baby to be near the methamphetamine that Wright was selling. 

The Village of Sidney Police are currently pursuing additional unrelated charges against Thomas Wright. If Wright is convicted of those new charges, the defendant would face an additional consecutive state prison sentence. 

Acting District Attorney Shawn Smith stated, “I commend the New York State Police for their investigation of this case, which resulted in a conviction without the need of a trial. My office will continue to partner with law enforcement to remove drug dealers from our communities.”