On March 9, 2024 at 1:10 PM, Tompkins County Sheriff's Deputies conducted a traffic stop on S. Meadow Street, City of Ithaca after observing a 2008 gray Mazda sedan failing to signal a turn. Deputies conducted a roadside interview with the driver, James E. Brooks, age 63 of Rochester, NY and the passenger, Samantha A. Maynard, age 38 of Ithaca, NY. During their interview, Maynard admitted to possessing crack cocaine in her purse. Deputies deployed their narcotics canine which also alerted on the vehicle.
Deputies completed a search of the motor vehicle and as a result, located eleven (11) individual baggies of suspected crack cocaine with an aggregate weight of 1.2 ounces, one baggy of suspected powder cocaine with an aggregate weight of .8 ounces, a scale and $210 US Currency. Deputies also located a crack pipe and two vials containing 1 gram each of crack cocaine on Maynard.
As a result of their investigation, Deputies charged Maynard with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (Class A Misdemeanor) and released her on appearance ticket. Deputies charged Brooks with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree - Possession with Intent to Sell (Class B Felony), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree - Possession of Narcotic Drug over ½ Ounce. Brooks was turned over to the Tompkins County Jail to await Centralized Arraignment.