Sheriffs Arrest Carmel Man in Ossining on Multiple Felony Charges

A Carmel man was arrested on charges that stem from selling illegal drugs and could possibly face more than 20 years in prison.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department said officers took Larry J. James, 38, into custody Oct. 23.

Two days earlier, the sheriff’s department’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit stopped James because he ran a red light on Route 52 in the Town of Carmel.

Police said he refused to comply with what the deputies were asking and fled the scene in his car, nearly striking one deputy. A second deputy, who had been reaching into the vehicle trying to pull the keys from the ignition, was hit by the door column as the car sped away. Neither deputy was injured.

James drove at a high rate of speed on Route 301 to Peekskill Hollow Road. Pursuit was discontinued due to safety concerns.

The sheriff’s department said James was already facing two felony charges of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance resulting from an investigation of cocaine sales in Mahopac.

On Oct. 23, the Narcotics Enforcement Unit learned that James was in the Village of Ossining and, with the assistance of the Ossining police, went to the residence where he was staying and was persuaded to leave with the police without incidence.

James was arrested and charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and first-degree reckless endangerment, all felonies; reckless driving, a misdemeanor, and numerous vehicle and traffic violations.

Subsequently, it was determined James had been convicted of numerous felonies in the past and was on parole in New York when last arrested.

He was arraigned and sent to the Putnam County Correctional Facility where he is being held without bail.

If convicted of the most serious felony charges, the sheriff’s department said James could face up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000.