State Police – Three Arrested on Drug Charges After Traffic Stop on I81 in Town of Homer

Around 2:45 in the afternoon on Thursday, February 13th, a traffic stop was conducted for a vehicle on I81 in the Town of Homer by New York State Police. State Police say the Trooper observed a vehicle move from its lane unsafely as a reason for the stop.

As the Trooper was interviewing the driver, identified as 30 year old Joseph B. Schneider of Albany, the Trooper learned the driver of the vehicle couldn’t provide the names of his passengers identified as 46 year old Joshua M. Lites of Cincinnatus, and 26 year old Kathryn L. Schulz of Norwich. State Police say it was more suspicious as Schneider said one was his girlfriend and the other a friend of his.

Further investigation found Lites had an outstanding warrant for his arrest from the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office. Officers with the Sheriff’s Office responded to the traffic stop with their K9 as it was suspected drugs were inside the vehicle; police were able to locate said drugs.

All three were arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th, a Misdemeanor. They were transported to SP Homer where they were processed and released on appearance tickets. Lites was turned over to the Sheriff’s Office afterwards to answer his outstanding warrant.