By Tiffany Williams –
Wolcott, N.Y. — A routine late-night traffic stop in rural Wayne County quickly unraveled into a drug bust and a fugitive arrest after New York State Police say troopers discovered heroin, crack cocaine and drug distribution materials inside a vehicle.
The stop happened around 10:50 p.m. on March 5 along State Route 104 in the town of Wolcott. Troopers pulled over a 2011 Honda for a vehicle and traffic violation.
Behind the wheel was 43-year-old David L. Liechti of Wolcott.
What started as a simple roadside stop changed fast when troopers ran a records check.
Police say Liechti had an active probation warrant out of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Authorities in Pennsylvania confirmed they would extradite him.
Liechti was immediately taken into custody on the warrant.
But the investigation didn’t stop there.
Troopers conducted a vehicle inventory and what they found raised serious red flags.
Investigators say they located approximately 15.4 grams of suspected heroin, approximately 3.24 grams of suspected crack cocaine, packaging materials, digital scales, glass smoking devices and $1,028 in U.S. currency.
Those items — drugs, scales, packaging and cash — are the kind of evidence investigators often associate with drug distribution activity.
The passenger inside the vehicle, 22-year-old Rose Nageldinger of Port Byron, was also taken into custody after troopers discovered controlled substances in her possession.
Now both suspects are facing a long list of charges.
Liechti is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th degree (C felony), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5th degree (D felony), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree (A misdemeanor), Tampering with Physical Evidence (E felony), two counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd degree (A misdemeanor), and Fugitive from Justice Warrant (Pennsylvania).
Nageldinger is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th degree (C felony), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5th degree (D felony), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree (A misdemeanor), Tampering with Physical Evidence (E felony), and two counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd degree (A misdemeanor).
Both suspects were transported to the Wayne County Jail for centralized arraignment.
Liechti was also remanded on the fugitive from justice warrant issued out of Pennsylvania.
For investigators, the case highlights how a routine traffic stop can suddenly expose a much larger criminal problem — a wanted fugitive, illegal narcotics and evidence that authorities say points directly to drug activity on the road.
The investigation remains ongoing.