A routine traffic stop in Schuyler County ended with a felony drug conviction and a state prison sentence.
A Van Etten man pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class C felony, in Schuyler County Court. Robert J. Durfey, 50, entered the plea on October 16 and was sentenced January 22 as a second felony offender.
Durfey received a sentence of 2.5 years in state prison, followed by two years of post-release supervision, according to the Schuyler County District Attorney’s Office.
The case stems from a March 18 traffic stop by New York State Police for driving without a license. During the stop, troopers noticed a torn plastic bag hanging out of Durfey’s pocket and suspected methamphetamine visible on his lap, fingers, center console, and floorboard.
Authorities say Durfey attempted to destroy the methamphetamine before it could be confiscated. Despite those efforts, state police were able to recover nearly one ounce of the drug and placed him under arrest.
The case was prosecuted by Schuyler County District Attorney Jeremy J. Hourihan.
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