A Little Genesee, N.Y. man was arraigned Monday before District Judge William Todd on allegations that he fled from an officer who approached him regarding a bench warrant for gun charges in N.Y.
Eric Hess, 35, is charged with a DUI — alcohol, 4th offense & subsequent offence, a third-degree felony; flight to avoid apprehension, a second degree misdemeanor; use/possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor; and intentional possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.
According to the criminal complaint, on Sunday, Port Allegany Police department was made aware that Hess was wanted out of Chemung County N.Y. for gun charges as well as fleeing police. The officer located Hess in the parking lot at Sheetz and approached him, advising him that they needed to speak with him pertaining to his warrant. After a short foot pursuit, police reports indicate the officer took Hess into custody.
Per the criminal complaint, police noticed Hess was under the influence of a controlled substance. When asked, Hess allegedly said he used fentanyl laced heroin in the last day or so. He refused a field coordination exercise and a blood draw, the complaint alleged.
After his arrest, the police report states that officers found $2,956.35 in cash in Hess’s front pants pocket. Also, while he was being booked into McKean County Jail, a small clear plastic baggie containing a stamp was found in his wallet, which was taken into evidence, according to the complaint.
The truck Hess was driving was seized and Hess allegedly refused to allow a search of the vehicle. A search warrant for the vehicle was issued for the vehicle by District Judge William Todd. During the search, numerous drugs and drug paraphernalia was found in the vehicle that Hess was driving, the complaint alleged.
Hess is currently being held in McKean County Jail in lieu of $75,000 monetary bail. A preliminary hearing before District Judge William Todd is scheduled for July 26.
