3 LI Men, Including NYPD Officer, Ran Drug Ring: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Three Suffolk County residents, including one who works as an NYPD officer, on Wednesday were accused of running a drug ring, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini.

The officer, 28-year-old Joseph Recca, of West Islip, was charged with second-degree conspiracy, third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, unauthorized use of a computer and official misconduct, the DA said. Recca has been employed as an NYPD officer since 2017.

He co-conspired with 25-year-old Michael Sosa, of Brentwood, and 53-year-old Michael Corbett, of West Islip, the district attorney said. Sosa was charged with second-degree conspiracy, first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Corbett was charged with second-degree conspiracy and third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

On Sept. 3, 2019, Suffolk County police responded to a report of a fatal overdose of a man in his 20s in Copiague, according to the district attorney. An investigation in connection with the fatal overdose, which is still ongoing, revealed evidence of drug dealing by Recca, Sini said. Further investigation, which was conducted along with the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau, revealed evidence that Recca allegedly purchased pills containing illicit substances from Sosa, according to the Sini. Recca was accused of reselling the pills to Corbett for distribution.

The investigation involved physical and electronic surveillance as well as court-authorized eavesdropping. During the investigation, Recca was accused of using official NYPD resources to run the license plate numbers of cars he believed were following him, the DA said.

"This is an NYPD officer who, along with two co-conspirators, was allegedly involved in operating a local drug distribution network in our community, which is very disturbing," Sini said. "Our message is consistent: If you are dealing drugs in Suffolk County, we are coming for you, and no one is above the law. No matter what position you hold in our community, we will hold you accountable if you violate the law."

Several search warrants were executed on Tuesday in connection with the investigation, which resulted in the seizure of 400 grams of oxycodone pills and tablets, $75,700 in cash, and various paraphernalia consistent with drug sales, including scales and packaging materials, the DA said. A search warrant executed at Sosa’s Brentwood home also resulted in the seizure of a loaded, 9mm unserialized "ghost gun."

All three were arraigned Wednesday by Suffolk County District Court Judge James A. Saladino. Recca was released on his own recognizance with electronic monitoring and is due back in court on July 27. Corbett was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on Sept. 2. Sosa is being held on $100,000 cash bail, $500,000 bond, or $1.5 million partially-secured bond. Sosa is due back in court on July 27. If convicted, the trio each face a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison.

"Together, law enforcement will continue to hold officers like Recca accountable for the damage they inflict not only on the communities they took an oath to serve, but on the badge that that we are all so proud to wear," Suffolk Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said.