TOWN OF ROCHESTER – Four
people are under arrest charged with the felonies of unlawful manufacture
of methamphetamine and related crimes.
The case began at around 3 a.m. on Saturday, December 29 when an Ulster
County Sheriff’s deputy was patrolling the rail trail parking lot
on Berme Road in the Town of Rochester and he encountered three people
and a vehicle.
Briana Gowen, 38, of Saugerties, was found in possession of a knife and
marijuana. She was detained.
As the deputy approached the vehicle, he encountered a man, later identified
as Gary Hoffman, 28, of Kingston. Hoffman gave a false identity to conceal
the fact that he was a state parole absconder.
At the same time, a second woman, Emily Hoffman, 33, of Kerhonkson, came
from an area near the rail trail that during a later search was found
to house containers and material consistent with the unlawful manufacture
of methamphetamine.
Deputies determined a fourth person fled the area on foot when he spotted
the police activity. Erik Fehring, 31, of Accord, was found several hours
later hiding in a residence on Main Street in Accord after being observed
by a concerned resident.
When deputies and state troopers discovered suspected methamphetamine
production, they withdrew from the scene due to the suspected hazardous
materials associated with the production of the drug.
The State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team responded
to the scene, identified and processed the materials used to manufacture
meth. Also located were plastic bottles that contained liquid and other
materials that appeared to be undergoing a chemical reaction consistent
with the manufacture of meth. The evidence was collected and the potentially
hazardous materials were removed.
The four were charged with felonies of unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine,
unlawful disposal of methamphetamine laboratory material, criminal possession
of precursors of methamphetamine and the misdemeanor of criminal possession
of methamphetamine manufacture material.
Fehring was also found to have several warrants for his arrest unrelated
to this case.
Hoffman was also charged with the misdemeanor of criminal impersonation
for providing a false name to avoid being discovered as a parole absconder.
Gowen, Martin and Fehring were remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu
of $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond. Hoffman was remanded without bail.
The investigation is continuing and additional charges are expected.
Deputies were assisted by State Police, the State Police Contaminated
Crime Scene Emergency Response Team, the URGENT Task Force and the Accord
Fire Department.
