Middletown man arrested for selling heroin in Sullivan

Posted 9/30/09

The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Gang and Narcotics Intelligence Unit has arrested a Middletown man after a 5 month investigation into heroin and crack cocaine sales in the Towns of Fallsburg and …

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Middletown man arrested for selling heroin in Sullivan

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The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Gang and Narcotics Intelligence Unit has arrested a Middletown man after a 5 month investigation into heroin and crack cocaine sales in the Towns of Fallsburg and Thompson.

Shawn Whitaker, 39, was spotted by a Sheriff’s surveillance team entering the Verizon store on Broadway in Monticello shortly after 12 noon Wednesday. Monticello Police were called for backup and Whitaker was taken into custody without incident.

The Sheriff’s Office began investigating Whitaker in May with the assistance of the Town of Fallsburg Police and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.

It is alleged that the suspect sold heroin and/or crack cocaine on 3 occasions in Fallsburg and twice in Thompson. Whitaker went “underground” for several weeks, but resurfaced recently in the Monticello area. He was in possession of heroin at the time of his arrest.

Shawn Whitaker was charged with 5 counts of Felony Sale of a Controlled Substance and 1 count of Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was arraigned before Sullivan County Court Judge Michael McGuire and sent to the Sullivan County Jail without bail. Whitaker has served time on 3 prior felony convictions according to the New York State Department of Corrections public website.

“This was an important arrest”, said Sheriff Mike Schiff. “Every dealer we take off the street reduces the possibility of another family losing a loved one to an overdose”. The Sheriff thanked all the agencies involved for their assistance.

Wednesday’s arrest was part of “Operation Whitehorse Express” which the Sheriff’s Office began in 2012 to address the heroin epidemic that was besieging Sullivan County. The problem became apparent that summer after Sullivan County Coroner Alan Kesten reported several heroin related overdose deaths. Since then, Sheriff’s deputies have made several high profile arrests of heroin dealers within the County and worked with the District Attorney’s Office to secure convictions and lengthy jail sentences.

Anyone with information regarding illegal drug activity or any other crime is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s confidential TIPS line at 845-807-0158. All calls will be kept confidential.

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