Methamphetamine allegedly smuggled into the Ontario County Jail sparked an internal investigation that led to two new felony arrests.
Investigators charged Joseph C. Smith, 46, and Michael J. Wade, 43, after jail staff uncovered evidence of drugs being brought into the facility and distributed among incarcerated individuals, according to the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began after corrections staff developed intelligence suggesting methamphetamine had entered the jail. Authorities allege Smith concealed the drug on his person when he entered the Ontario County Jail on Jan. 23 for unrelated charges.
Investigators say Smith later distributed the methamphetamine to Wade while both men were incarcerated. Officials said both men were found in possession of more than a gram of methamphetamine.
Deputies arrested Smith and Wade on Jan. 31 and charged each with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree with intent to sell, a Class B felony. Both men were arraigned in Ontario County CAP Court and ordered to remain in custody pending further action in Hopewell Town Court.
Smith was originally being held at the jail on a family court warrant, along with charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. He is now being held without bail on the new felony drug charge.
Wade was already incarcerated on second-degree murder charges stemming from a New York State Police arrest. Officials set nominal bail on the new drug charge, but he remains jailed without bail on the murder case.
Sheriff David Cirencione credited corrections staff for actively pursuing the intelligence and working with investigators from the Special Investigations Division to take immediate action. Officials said the effort removed the contraband before any incarcerated individuals, officers, or staff were harmed.
Authorities also said K9 Shaver, assigned to the correctional facility, played a crucial role during the investigation. The case remains under investigation.
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