A month-long drug investigation by Saratoga Springs City Police ended with the arrest of two individuals at around 7:48 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6, according to police reports.
Jesse J. Smith, 27, of Raymons Street in Schenectady and Sharena M. Brandow, 25, also of Swan Street in Schenectady, were arrested by police and also found to have a 2-year-old child in the vehicle they were driving at the time of the arrest without a seatbelt on or strapped into a child safety seat.
Smith was charged with three counts each of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, all class B felonies, as well as one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, a class D felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor.
Brandow was charged with false personation, a class B misdemeanor, endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor and several traffic violations including, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, and a seat belt violation.
According to information released by police in a release, in early September the Saratoga Springs Police Department Special Investigations Unit opened an investigation into suspected drug dealing at a residence on the city’s east side after police received information from a number of street sources, as well a complaints from neighbors, that individuals were possibly engaged in drug dealing at a residence located on Park Place. Police said they believe that a local resident was allowing several drug dealers to use the residence as a location from which to sell drugs, although neither the resident, nor the property owner are expected to be charged as a result of this investigation.
Police allege that on Sept. 15 and again on Sept. 16, Smith sold crack cocaine during an undercover drug operation at a private residence on Park Place and that on Oct. 6, Smith traveled from Schenectady to sell crack cocaine, with Brandow driving the vehicle that Smith traveled in. After Smith allegedly sold a quantity of crack cocaine, police stopped the vehicle that they were traveling in and arrested Smith. Brandow provided police with false information regarding her date of birth leading to the false personation charge. A two-year-old child related to Smith was also traveling in the rear of the vehicle and did not have a seat belt or child safety seat to secure them. The presence of the child during an alleged drug sale involving crack cocaine is what led police to charge both Smith and Brandow with endangering the welfare of a Child.
Smith was held pending arraignment in City Court on Thursday, Oct. 7, and Brandow was released after posting $100 cash bail and is scheduled to appear in City Court on Tuesday Oct. 19. The child was released to a relative.
Saratoga Springs Police say they have noticed an increase in crack cocaine related investigations in the past several months, citing several others that have occurred in the area:
On Sept. 9, Saratoga Springs City Police arrested Shaquan L. Small, 18, of King Street in Troy, for two counts each of criminal possession and criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.
On Sept. 28, Saratoga Springs City Police executed a search warrant at a residence on Allen Drive and seized 11 rocks of crack cocaine, arresting Marlin Turner, 27, of Second Ave in New York City and Traci Williams, 41, of Allen Drive, Saratoga Springs.
Police said anyone can anonymously report criminal activity through the Police Department’s Tip Line at 584-TIPS (8744) or at the Department’s website, www.saratogapolice.org.
“
