AVON– A routine traffic stop conducted by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department resulted in the arrests of three men. Two men from Olean, New York and one from Belfast, New York are now allegedly facing several drug related charges, including a few that relate to heroin.
According to a press release from Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty on Tuesday, David J. Vattes, 37, Samuel J. Kelley, 32, of Olean and Karl E. Vattes, 40, of Belfast were stopped by Deputy Shawn Whitford in the Town of Avon for vehicle and traffic violations. Allegedly, upon further investigation of those inside the vehicle, Deputy Whitford learned that David Vattes was operating the vehicle with a suspended license, suspected to be under the influence of drugs and was in possession of heroin, as well as hypodermic needles. Deputy Connor Sanford of the Sheriff’s STOP DWI unit responded to the area of the stop and would later arrest David Vattes DWAI Drugs.
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After an evaluation conducted by Sergeant Joseph Breu, who is a certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), it was allegedly found that David Vattes was under the influence of a narcotic. Vattes was also charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the seventh degree, Criminal Possession of a hypodermic needle and other Vehicle and Traffic Violations.
Kelley was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the seventh degree, Criminal Possession of a hypodermic needle, as well as Facilitating Unlicensed Operation of a Vehicle in the third degree.
Karl Vattes was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance also in the seventh degree along with Criminal Possession of a hypodermic needle.
All three men were arraigned in Avon Town Court, David Vattes and Samuel Kelley were remanded to the custody of the Sheriff’s office with bail set at $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond. Karl Vattes was remanded to the Livingston County Jail without bail due to a history of felony convictions.
Also assisting in the arrests was Deputy Menzo Peck.
[LEFT TO RIGHT: DAVID VATTES, KARL VATTES, SAMUEL KELLEY]
[PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE LIVINGSTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT]