AVON – A Wellsville, NY man was arrested for drug possession and giving his brother’s name and date of birth on Tuesday after a routine traffic stop by Deputy Sheriff Shawn Whitford on I-390.
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According to a press release from Sheriff Thomas Dougherty, Stephen Hopkins, 51, was arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, and Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree.
“Based on 2014 statistic data of high speeds, DWI’s, and drug related crimes on Interstate 390, we have boosted up our presence on the state highway,” said Sheriff Dougherty. “In years past the Sheriff’s Office has not had a high presence on the interstate, but we have changed that over the last few months for the safety of our residents and motoring public. Through ‘Operation Safe Interstate’ we were able to realign our resources and accomplish this with zero additional cost to taxpayers. The Deputies are doing a great job and the interstate is a much safer place now.”
Deputy Whitford originally stopped Hopkins for a vehicle and traffic equipment violation. Through the course of the stop, Deputy Whitford allegedly discovered 17 Suboxone strips on Hopkins, over $5,500 in cash in the vehicle, and confirmed that Hopkins had a Non Driver ID only, with his privilege to drive in the State of New York suspended 11 times.
Hopkin’s true identity was learned through the investigation at the scene of the stop.
Hopkins was arraigned in the Town of Avon Court by Justice Piampiano, and was remanded to the custody of the Sheriff. Hopkins is being held in the Livingston County Jail in lieu of $1,500 cash bail, $3,000 bail bond.
PHOTO CAPTION: Stephen Hopkins (Photo/Livingston County Sheriff’s Office)