Little Genesee woman charged with felony possession, released on bail
Fentanyl is 100 times more powerful than morphine, fatal overdoses very common
INTERSTATE 390- Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of an Allegany County resident on felony drug charges following a traffic stop.
On February 7th, 2023, Deputy Jerry Pilkenton was assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Operation Safe Interstate when he conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 390, in the Town of Avon, for violations of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic law.
During the roadside investigation, contact was made with the operator who was identified as 39 year Brandi L. Pascucci of Olean. Contact was also made with Brandi’s passenger, 29 year old Katelyn M. Barnes of Little Genesee, NY.
During the encounter, Deputy Pilkenton had reason to believe the two were involved in drug activity, and continued his roadside investigation.
As Barnes was interviewed, it is alleged she provided Deputies with a false name and date of birth, which she later admitted was because she knew she had a warrant for her arrest. As the investigation continued, it was also discovered and alleged that Barnes was in possession of 51.6 grams of suspected fentanyl. Deputies later tested the substances, which were confirmed positive for Fentanyl.
Barnes was arrested and charged with Felony Criminal Possession of a Narcotic Drug in the Third Degree and False impersonation.
The driver, Pascucci, was released on scene with tickets for violations of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
Barnes was transported to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office where she was turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for processing and pre-arraignment detention. The District Attorney’s Office was contacted in regards to bail due to the felony level charges and it was recommended that Barnes be released on her own recognizance after arraignment, as the charges do not qualify for bail under the NYS Bail Reform.
Barnes was later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part (LC-CAP) at the Livingston County Jail before Judge McKay. The Judge did release Barnes on her own recognizance to return to court at a later date per the law. Barnes was later turned over to the custody of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office on her active arrest warrant.
The Livingston County Public Defender’s Office was present and represented Barnes at the court arraignment for her defense. The Livingston County District Attorney’s Office was notified but did not appear to represent the people.
