Upstate Pair Accused Of Drug Possession

CORNWALL, NY — Two people were accused of drug possession after a traffic stop on the Thruway early Friday morning. State police stopped a car on I-87 in the Town of Cornwall for multiple vehicle and traffic violations.

While interviewing the driver, the trooper established probable cause to search the car and its occupants.

The driver — Rebecca F. Austin, 29, of Greenville — was found to have about 2.5 grams of heroin, police said.

Alejanro J. Leon, 30, of Leeds, the passenger, initially gave police a false name and was found to have about 22 grams of heroin.

He tried to flee the scene on foot but was quickly apprehended and taken into custody.

The pair was processed at the Newburgh barracks.

Austin was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, and several traffic violations. She was released with an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Cornwall Court June 10.

Leon was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to see and tampering with physical evidence (attempting to conceal, alter or destroy evidence), felonies. He was also charged with resisting arrest, second-degree criminal impersonation, second-degree obstructing governmental administration and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanors.

Leon was arraigned by a county court judge via Skype and sent to the Orange County Jail. No return court date was available at this time.

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