Couple Shares Drug Charges After Jail Incident

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of a Mahopac couple on felony drug charges stemming from an incident at the Putnam County Correctional Facility in Carmel.

At about 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 12, in the visitation room of the jail facility, Correction Officer Richard Greagor observed suspicious contact between a male inmate and a woman visitor. The officer determined that the woman had allegedly passed drugs to the inmate and the drugs were seized.

Corrections officials notified members of the Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation. BCI investigators responded to the facility and arrested the inmate, Philip C. Callaci, 49, and the visitor, Ms. Dawn N. Lagatella, 38, who share a residence at 1 Parker Drive in Mahopac.

Investigators report that the alleged illicit drug hand-off was captured on a security camera video recording.

Investigator Shaun Menton charged Lagatella with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, and Promoting Prison Contraband in the First Degree, all felonies. She was arraigned before Town of Carmel Justice Joseph Spofford and committed to the jail in lieu of $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond pending a future court appearance.

Callaci was charged with Promoting Prison Contraband in the First Degree, a felony, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a misdemeanor. He was arraigned before Judge Spofford and committed back to the jail with bail set at $50,000.00 cash or bond pending his next court date.

If found guilty of the most serious felony charges, Lagatella could face up to twenty- five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $30,000. If found guilty of his felony charge, Callaci could face up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. At the time of his arrest in this case, Mr. Callaci was committed to the jail and was awaiting trial for a previous drug charge.