In the wee hours on Sunday, State Police responded to a call about a domestic dispute in Long Eddy, NY, near Hancock. But they ended up busting a marijuana farm allegedly growing in the home of the unhappy couple, both of whom have ties to law enforcement. Here's the press release from the State Police:
On October 3, 2010, at approximately 1:15 AM, the New York State Police at Deposit responded to 2026 Hungry Hill Road Long Eddy, NY for a reported domestic dispute. While inside the residence Troopers detected a strong odor of Marihuana emanating from a locked room. A search warrant was obtained for the residence and approximately 100 Marihuana plants along with processed Marihuana, and cash were recovered. Robert Sanzoverino (02/28/61) and Catherine M. Dalconzo (06/18/63) 2026 Hungry Hill Road Long Eddy, NY were charged with Criminal Possession of Marihuana 2nd degree a class D Felony. Both subjects were arraigned in the Town of Tompkins Court, and remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $10,000.00 bail. Sanzoverino is employed as a Corrections Officer for the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department.
Note the last line. Sanzoverino is a CO who works for the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office. According to the Times Herald-Record, the sheriff's office has known that he might be a grower on the side for about a year:
Sanzoverino has been a correction officer with Sullivan County since Aug. 25, 2008, but has also been under investigation by the department's Division of Internal Affairs. A year ago, the Sheriff's Office got a tip that Sanzoverino was growing and selling marijuana.
"We were looking at him for approximately one year," Undersheriff Eric Chaboty said. Deputies, however, had not been able to gather enough evidence for authorities to search the home.
The THR and the Associated Press are reporting that Dalconzo is a former New York City police officer as well.
Sanzoverio also has tragedy in his past. In 2005, according to a story in the Sullivan County Democrat, he was involved in a car accident that killed a 17-year-old neighbor, Mason Rosello. (The SCD story makes it clear that Sanzoverino was not at fault.)
