Investigation Leads to Drug Bust at Ulster County Jail

A year-long investigation into the trafficking of narcotics and other prohibited contraband in the Ulster County Jail leads to numerous arrests.

Back in January 2023, members of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Intelligence Unit and Corrections K9 Unit began an investigation involving the trafficking of narcotics and other prohibited contraband in the Ulster County Jail, and a year later 11 individuals have been arrested, and charged with various crimes.

Ulster County Jail Drug Bust

Numerous Ulster County law enforcement agencies worked together throughout the investigation and seized approximately 650 doses of Suboxone (a medication used to treat Opioid Use Disorder) inside the jail with an approximate street value of $3,250 and an estimated jail value of $32,500.

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Officers were also able to track thousands of dollars in commissary funds and cash app funds that were allegedly used by inmates within the jail and by their associates who were not incarcerated to facilitate the trafficking operation according to a Ulster County Sheriff's Office press release.

All 11 suspects (below) were indicted in December and warrants were issued for their arrests in January. All 11 were arrested and charged with two Conspiracy felonies.

Ulster County Jail Drug Bust Defendants

Barbara Wilson, 59, of Kerhonkson
Angel Lyons, 23, of Lake Katrine
Kevin Drake, 34, of Kingston
James Hasbrouck, 32, of Esopus
Peter Bonavita, 49, of Kingston
William Ramos, 37, of Lloyd
Devin Pope, 30, of Esopus
Lisa Mosely, 50, of Kingston
Phillip Canino, 43, of Lloyd
Tara Dougherty, 51, of Kingston
Ramon Velez, 54, of Plattekill

"These individuals showed complete disregard of the law by smuggling drugs and contraband in the Ulster County Jail," said Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa. "I commend the members of this office and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office for the hard work and coordination during this investigation."

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Five of the people arrested were already in the Ulster County Jail on unrelated charges including William Ramos, Devin Pope, James Hasbrouck, Ramon Velez, and Kevin Drake. Angel Lyons, Peter Bonavita, Lisa Mosely, and Philip Canino were remanded to the Ulster County Jail, while Tara Dougherty and Barabra Wilson were released on their own recognizance.

All 11 defendants are scheduled to return to court at a later date.