New York State Police say an investigation into an unattended death at a home in Chenango County has expanded into a drug investigation.

Troopers responded to a home on One Eye Street in South Plymouth at 11:44 a.m. October 21 after 25 year old Krista Wilkinson was found unresponsive by friends who checked on her when she didn’t show up for work that morning.

While investigating the death, authorities say they found evidence of marijuana use in the home of 50 year old Mark Pontario, where Wilkinson had been living.

Troopers say they found about 1.7 pounds of marijuana, 18 plants in various stages of growth, marijuana growing equipment and an unregistered handgun.

Pontario is charged with felony counts of criminal possession of marijuana and criminal possession of a firearm as well as misdemeanor unlawfully growing cannabis.

He was sent to the Chenango County Jail with no bail set.

Meanwhile, the authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy on Wilkinson that was performed at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

 

 

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