On July 30, 2022 at approximately 7:42 PM, Tompkins County Sheriff Deputies observed a 2006 Cadillac CTS traveling on Mecklenburg Road in the Town of Ithaca with only one New York State Registration Plate affixed to the vehicle. Deputies stopped the vehicle and identified the operator as 32 year old Henry Moreno of Ithaca NY. Deputies discovered that Moreno possessed a suspended New York State Driver's License. Deputies identified the other passengers in the vehicle in order to determine if anyone else could operate the vehicle, which the other two passengers did not possess a valid driver's license.
Deputies then had the vehicle towed, and before doing so, conducted a vehicle inventory search to document items left inside the vehicle when it would be towed. During the inventory search, deputies located a a large quantity of a white chunky substance, which was later identified as crack cocaine. Deputies also discovered several Alprazolam pills (controlled substance) that were not in specified prescription pill bottles, nor could the passengers or driver provide documentation that they were prescribed Alprazolam. The front seat passenger, 20 year old Aliza Turcsik-Hines of Ithaca NY claimed possession of the crack cocaine and Alprazolam pills.
Moreno was issued a criminal summons for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 2nd Degree (Unclassified Misdemeanor) and released. Turcsik-Hines was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 5th Degree (Class D Felony) and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree (Class A Misdemeanor). Turcsik-Hines was then turned over to Centralized Arraignment.
