Town of Chenango Man in Custody Following Third Arrest on Drug Charges This Year

A Town of Chenango man, identified as Richard A. Harmon, remains in custody after being arrested for the third time this year on drug sale and possession charges following a recent traffic stop in the Town of Chenango. This latest arrest adds to Harmon's already extensive criminal record for similar offenses earlier in the year.

The most recent arrest occurred on Friday, March 29, 2024, when patrols attempted a routine traffic stop on a motorcycle near Knapp Hill Rd and NYS Route 11 in the Town of Barker. Despite law enforcement's attempts to pull him over, Harmon evaded authorities by fleeing north on Barker Rd. In a misguided attempt to escape further, he drove his motorcycle into a drainage ditch where he became stuck.

Upon Harmon's attempt to flee on foot, a Sheriff's Deputy intervened and placed him under arrest. Attempting to resist arrest, the deputy had to deploy a Taser to detain Harmon successfully. Subsequently, a search of Harmon led to the discovery of three bags containing a crystal-like substance, identified as Methamphetamine, totaling 75.5g (2.663 oz).

The charges brought against Richard A. Harmon as a result of this incident include Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 2nd Degree (a Class A Felony), Resisting Arrest, Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in the 2nd Degree, Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the 2nd Degree, and additional traffic violations. Harmon was arraigned at Central Arraignment Part and remains in custody at the Broome County Correctional Facility.

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This arrest comes less than a week after Harmon's previous encounter with law enforcement on March 26th, where he faced charges such as Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia. Furthermore, his criminal record this year includes a January 12th arrest for similar offenses, where he was found in possession of Methamphetamine and charged accordingly.

Sheriff Fred Akshar expressed frustration with the situation, emphasizing the impact of New York State's Bail Reform laws on law enforcement efforts. He criticized the system for allowing repeat offenders like Harmon to evade accountability and called for urgent reforms to address the issue at hand.

The series of arrests underscore the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating drug-related crimes.