POUGHKEEPSIE – Samantha Vantassell, sentenced to seven years in prison for attempted conspiracy, criminal sale of a controlled substance, and making a terroristic threat, appealed her sentence, claiming it was excessive. The appellate court has denied her appeal.
The convicted drug dealer is in prison and is not eligible for parole until October of 2024.
Vantassell was one of 12 people arrested during “Operation Candy Crush”, which dismantled a large narcotics distribution ring in the Hudson Valley. Vantassell was arrested in December of 2018.
In addition to the drug sales charges, Vantassell, under a separate indictment, was charged with creating a fictitious Instagram account under another person’s name to disseminate a post threatening a school shooting at Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park. She was charged with making a terrorist threat and criminal impersonation for posting a photo of an individual holding what appeared to be an assault rifle with the caption, “going through a lot right now can’t go to school I’m feeling like shooting Roosevelt school up.”
