Warrant For Brooklyn Man Who Skipped Putnam Court Date

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — Putnam County Sheriff Robert L. Langley Jr. reports that a Brooklyn man arrested on several drug and driving charges, and released by town court despite the Putnam County District Attorney's request, failed to show up for his court date.

Police said Deputy Christopher Irwin initiated a traffic stop at 9:52 p.m. March 8 on a vehicle that had committed several traffic violations on the Taconic State Parkway in Putnam Valley.

The driver, later identified as 41-year-old Brooklyn resident, Michael A. Carroll, initially gave Irwin a false name. After an investigation, Irwin found more than 1,500 Ecstasy pills, police said. It was also determined that Carroll held a revoked New York State driver’s license.

Carroll was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 2nd Degree a felony, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, a felony, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree, a misdemeanor, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the 2nd Degree, a misdemeanor, and numerous Vehicle and Traffic violations. Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 2nd Degree is a Class A-2 felony; one of the highest classes of felonies a person can be charged with, the sheriff said.

Carroll was transported to the Putnam County Correctional Facility. The next morning, he was arraigned on the charges in the Town of Putnam Valley Court.

Carroll, who has five prior felony convictions, including one for robbery in the first degree, was released on his own recognizance despite the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office requesting that he be held on $250,000 cash bail, the sheriff's office said.

He failed to appear for his subsequent court date and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest, police said.