Police uncover meth lab, 17 arrested

BEAVER DAMS--Seventeen people were arrested on drug charges over the course of two days last week. After a five month investigation into a tri-county methamphetamine manufacturing operation, search warrants were executed throughout Schuyler, Chemung and Steuben Counties Wednesday and Thursday, May 4 and 5.
The investigation was led by the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and was assisted by the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET). The New York State Police Troop E Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Uniform Force and the Schuyler County Sheriff's Office also assisted on the case. Two of the search warrants were executed utilizing the New York State Police Special Operations Response Team (SORT).
After the execution of the search warrant at Scott Kennedy's residence in Beaver Dams, multiple items used in the unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine were seized. The New York State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Evidence Recovery Team (CCERT) was called on to remediate the materials related to Kennedy's methamphetamine manufacturing operation. Multiple vehicles were also seized during this investigation. Further charges and arrests are anticipated.
"[This is the] biggest drug bust my office has ever been involved with in the 24 years that I have been in the DA's office," Schuyler County District Attorney Joe Fazzary said. "We are not done. I expect that others will have their cases presented to the grand jury and that others will be arrested (in addition to those already arrested)."
Search warrants executed at the following were arrested and charged with conspiracy in the second degree for conspiring to manufacture, possess and distribute methamphetamine. The crime of conspiracy in the second degree is a class B felony.
• Scott L. Kennedy, 39, of Beaver Dams.
• Wendy R. Kennedy, 37, of Beaver Dams.
• Daniel M. Celelli, 46, of Painted Post.
• Ronald I. LaFever, 37, of Beaver Dams.
Thursday, May 5, the following subjects were arrested by the New York State Police for conspiracy in the second degree for conspiring to manufacture, possess and distribute methamphetamine. The crime of conspiracy in the second degree is a class B felony.
• Chelsa M. Hojnoski, 26, of Bath.
• Daniel R. Gillespie, 38, of Woodhull.
• Tammy L. Palmer, 40, of Beaver Dams.
• Hilary A. Losey, 28, of Bath.
• Melissa M. Whitney, 51, of Beaver Dams.
• Tammy L. Snell, 38, of Montour Falls.
• Jack L. Lewis III, 38, of Montour Falls.
• Deanna M. Lewis, 33, of Montour Falls.
• Jamie L. Iocco, 38, of Corning.
• Terry Champion, 46, of Bradford.
• Basil A. Rhoads, 52, of Beaver Dams.
• Michael L. Doane, 51, of Dix.
• Kevin J. Teed, 53, no known address.