Assistant Fire Chief Found With 155 Bags Of Heroin Indicted: DA

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — An assistant fire chief with the Westhampton Beach Fire Department who was caught with 155 bags of heroin — while driving his fire department vehicle with the heroin inside — was arraigned on a sealed indictment Friday, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini.

Kevin T. Raynor, 32, of Westhampton Beach, was charged with third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, intent to sell, a felony; fourth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony; official misconduct, a misdemeanor; and failing to stay in a designated lane, a violation, Sini said.

“Particularly as a first responder, this defendant should be well aware of the potentially deadly consequences of peddling this poison in our communities,” Sini said. “His actions were irresponsible and criminal, and we will hold him accountable. My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, including the Southampton Town Police Department, to investigate and prosecute anyone selling drugs in Suffolk County.”

At 6 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2018, Raynor, who was serving at the time as third assistant chief of the Westhampton Beach Fire Department, was driving his department-issued 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe on Carols Way in Hampton Bays when the Southampton Town Police Community Response Unit officers initiated a traffic stop, the DA said.

Raynor was found to be in possession of 155 glassine bags of heroin packaged in a manner consistent with narcotics sales, the DA said.

A forensic analysis found the aggregate weight of the heroin to be more than one-eighth of an ounce, the DA said.

Raynor was arraigned on the indictment Friday in front of Suffolk County Court Judge Timothy Mazzei and was released on his own recognizance, the DA said. He previously posted $5,000 bail following his arraignment on the felony complaint in Southampton Town Justice Court on Nov. 25, the DA said.

If convicted, Raynor faces a maximum sentence of up to nine years in prison; Raynor was suspended from the fire department following his arrest, the DA said.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Pamela Bloomfield of the narcotics bureau.

At the time of the arrest Southampton Det. Lt. James Kiernan confirmed Raynor had the heroin in his fire department vehicle, and said the heroin had a street value of $20 to $30 per bag, between $3,500 and $5,250.

Photo courtesy Southampton Town Police.