Bethlehem Police arrested Nathan Sunderhaft, 17, of Gladwish Road in Delmar, Thursday, Oct. 8, for allegedly possessing a large amount of drugs in a vehicle on school property.
About 25 grams of MDMA otherwise known as “molly,” 225 Xanax pills, a bottle of Hydrocodone syrup, $1,796.00 in US currency and a fraudulent New Jersey driver’s license were reportedly found to be in his possession. The incident was reported to Bethlehem police after school administrators and a school resourceoOfficer discovered items in the car.
Sunderhaft was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance – hallucinogenic substance in the second degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree with intent to sell, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, all felonies. He was also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a misdemeanor.
Sunderhaft was arraigned in Bethlehem Town Court and remanded to Albany County Jail with no bail.
“This is a very serious matter,” said Interim Superintendent Jody Monroe. “Right now it is in the hands of the police department. The school district will cooperate fully with the Bethlehem Police Department as it moves forward with its investigation.
Sunderhaft is currently suspended, according to Monroe. “All student matters, including the one in question, are handled according to the district’s Code of Conduct,” she said in the statement.
“Bethlehem has zero tolerance for illegal substances on school grounds. That said, this incident presents an opportunity for the community to have a frank and open discussion about the dangers of drug use and how we can work together to empower our students to make good decisions,” said Monroe.
“In the coming days and weeks, the district will be engaged with students and parents K-13 in conversations on how to keep our school environment one that is conducive to learning, personal growth and wellness.”
