Inside the Tarrytown Courthouse: EF Student Remains in Custody; Tong Pleads Guilty to Harassment

Here's a look at some of the cases that came before the Village Court during its August 18, 2010 session.

EF Student Allegedly Provided Narcotics on School Campus

Marcos Fernandez-Fontans (pictured), 18, was arrested by the Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Task Force on Monday on suspicion of selling cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana and providing alcohol to fellow underage peers at EF.

Fernandez-Fontans is charged with three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree on a school ground, two counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree and one count of Criminal Sale of Marijuana in the Fifth Degree.

The EF student, a native of Spain, is currently incarcerated with bail set at $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond. His court-appointed attorney stated his parents, who reside in Spain, may be able to provide him with counsel, as well as post his bail through a wire transaction.

However, Village Justice George Hlapatsos noted efforts to recover the defendant's passport from his EF dormitory have been unsuccessful so far, and the passport must be surrendered to the court before Fernandez-Fontans can post bail.

An EF employee has arranged to pack up the student's belongings and conduct a thorough search of his room for the passport this afternoon.

The case was adjourned until August 25.

Miller to Remain in Jail, Due Back in Two Weeks

Kathleen Miller, 45, appeared back in court, handcuffed.

She is charged with Attempted Assault in the Third Degree for allegedly attacking her mother on several occasions.

Miller's attorney stated her client had not been receiving her prescribed antidepressant medication for the past four days while incarcerated. While Miller has limited liver function, Judge Hlapatsos said the prescriptions must be confirmed with Miller's physician before reinstating her medication regimen.

Miller's bail, set at $10,000, remains the same and she is due back in court on September 1.

Tong Accepts Harassment Charge, with Conditions and Fine

Thomas Tong, a Tarrytown-based dentist, was initially charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child following an arrest in late 2009. He pled not guilty to this charge.

Today, Assistant District Attorney Robert Docherty offered Tong a reduced charge of Harassment in the Second Degree, to which Tong pled guilty.

His posted bail of $5,000 was exonerated and he was ordered to pay a fine of $250 plus a $125 surcharge.

As a conditional discharge of his guilty plea, Tong agreed not to treat anyone under the age of 18 at his practice for one year.

Additionally, the two temporary orders of protection granted against the complainants were made into permanent orders of protection, prohibiting Tong from contacting the parties until the orders' expiration on August 18, 2012.

Bail Reduced in Boulas (Castle-on-Hudson) Case

Mourad Boulas, 46, is charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree.

He was arrested following a nine-month investigation into $400,000 Boulas allegedly stole from The Castle on the Hudson, where he formerly worked as controller.

His bail was reduced from $350,000 to $250,000 and has yet to be posted.

The case was adjourned until November 17 to allow time for an SCI conference, the case will likely be moved to White Plains. Boulas remains incarcerated.

Bucci Has History of Noncompliance

Jeffrey Bucci, 46, appeared in handcuffs to answer to a charge of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree resulting from an August 14 arrest.

Bucci's attorney asked for a reduction of bail as Bucci is a lifelong resident of Tarrytown and presents a low flight risk.

However, according to Docherty, Bucci has a significant criminal history and history of noncompliance, so Hlapatsos denied the request.

His bail is set at $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond and a condition of his bail is he is to comply while being treated at St. John's Riverside Hospital, as well as other programs.

Hester Turns Herself in to the Court

Angelica Hester surrendered herself to the court today following several missed appearances resulting in a prior arrest warrant.

Hester was arrested on June 11 following a car accident in Tarrytown and charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Second Degree. She allegedly operated a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Docherty noted Hester has a similar case pending in Ossining.

Hester was assigned counsel and entered a plea of not guilty.

The case was adjourned until September 15.

Tarrytown Criminal Court is in session every Wednesday beginning at 9:00 a.m.