Traffic stop leads to drug, weapon charges

A Bethel, Conn. man was arrested on multiple drug and weapon charges after a traffic stop on Bryant Pond Road last weekend, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. 

Sheriff Brian Hess said deputies assigned to the department’s Conditions Unit stopped a vehicle driven by Jon D. Vena, 42, of Bethel, at about 6:15 p.m. on March 7 after observing him traveling without wearing a seatbelt. 

Deputies pulled the vehicle over near the intersection of Bryant Pond Road and Butterfly Lane and, during the stop, observed drug paraphernalia and suspected narcotics inside the vehicle, Hess said. 

A subsequent investigation led to the discovery of fentanyl, alprazolam (Xanax), brass knuckles and a sawed-off 20-gauge shotgun inside the vehicle. Deputies also recovered several imitation air pistols that had been spray-painted black. 

Police said Vena was also found to be driving with a revoked New York State driver’s license. 

Vena was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class B felony, for allegedly possessing a narcotic drug with intent to sell; fourth-degree criminal possession of a narcotic drug, a Class C felony; third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class D felony, based on a prior conviction; and criminal possession of a firearm, a Class E felony. 

He was also charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, along with multiple vehicle and traffic law violations. 

Vena was arraigned in Putnam Valley Town Court and remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility without bail due to prior felony convictions. 

Article provided by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office