In July 2023, the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office received grant funding from the N.Y.S. Division of Criminal Justice Services to combat violent crime through the G.I.V.E. (Gun Involved Violence Elimination) program. As a result, the Sheriff's Office initiated a task force consisting of members from the Sheriff's Office, as well as members from the Ithaca Police Department, New York State Police, Tompkins County Probation, New York State Parole, and others, in a collaborated effort to address shots-fired and violent crime in the City of Ithaca.
From July 2023 through December 2023, special details consisting of Sheriff's Office deputies have resulted in numerous arrests of known violent offenders, as well as the removal of 5 unlawfully possessed firearms (as well as other firearm parts), approximately 134 grams of meth, 10 grams of heroin, 111 grams of cocaine, 9 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms, 7 grams of Fentanyl, 64 Xanax pills, and 9 Oxycontin pills from the streets. Other arrests and seizures were made above and beyond this by our other law enforcement partners. It is well known that violent crime and drug dealing go hand in hand.
Since this time, the number of shots-fired calls has been reduced dramatically. This work has continued into 2024, with the following recent arrests:
On January 11th, 2024, at 10:50 PM, Tompkins County Sheriff's deputies observed a 2006 Mercedes SUV with a Suspended Registration leaving Yazzy's Market on West State Street in the City of Ithaca, formerly Chucks Mobile.
When deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, the vehicle fled. After a short period of time, the vehicle went into the parking area underneath the Ithaca Arthaus (130 Cherry Street) and the driver (single occupant) fled on foot attempting to gain access into the Ithaca Arthaus.
Deputies and assisting officers from the Ithaca Police Department were able to take the male driver, Ramal B. Abdullah, age 45, of Brooklyn, NY into custody. At the conclusion of the arrest that followed, Sheriff's Office deputies located on Abdullah's person; 32 individually packaged baggies of Methamphetamine in 1 gram, ½ gram and ¼ gram weights, 16 individually packaged baggies of Heroin in ½ gram and ¼ gram weights and $2,613.00 cash. Abdullah was charged with Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree (Class A Misdemeanor), Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs (Unclassified Misdemeanor), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree - Methamphetamine/Intent (Class B Felony) and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree - Heroin/Intent (Class B Felony).
After processing, Abdullah was turned over to the Tompkins County Jail for arraignment at the Sheriff's Office Centralized Arraignment Court where he was remanded to the County Jail without bail.
On January 13, 2024, at 3:39 PM, Deputies observed a 2012 Hyundai Elantra near the intersection of West Seneca Street and North Meadow Street in the City of Ithaca. The vehicle was operating with a suspended registration due to no insurance in effect. The vehicle was subsequently stopped on North Meadow Street near Third Street.
The driver, Barbara J. Barber, age 42, of Alpine, NY was found to be operating with a suspended driver's license. Eric Walker, age 41, of 3068 Elmira Road, Newfield, NY was found to be a passenger in the vehicle at the time. The investigation led to a search of the vehicle, during which approximately a 1/2 gram of crack cocaine, numerous Schedule III and IV pills, 18.31 grams of methamphetamine, 2 grams of heroin, and a 1/2 gram of cocaine, and $1,323 in cash.
Both Barber and Walker were charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree (Class B felonies) and were held for arraignment at the Sheriff's Office Centralized Arraignment Court.
On January 14, 2024, deputies responded to Walker's residence and executed a search warrant. During the search, two illegally possessed firearms were located as well as what appeared to be an alleged meth lab. The investigation is continuing and additional charges against Walker are pending.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
