Man admits selling heroin, shoplifting
A Watertown man was referred to Jefferson County Drug Court after admitting Thursday in County Court that he sold heroin and shoplifted from multiple stores.
William W. Sampson,26, of 988 LeRay St., pleaded guilty to third-degree attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, fourth-degree grand larceny and petit larceny before being referred to the substance abuse rehabilitation program designed to serve as an alternative to incarceration.
He admitted with his pleas that he sold heroin June 29 within the county. He also admitted that he stole more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from Best Buy in Salmon Run Mall in July and that he stole more than $100 worth of items from Kohl's, Towne Center, Route 3, on Aug. 23.
He had been accused of shoplifting items from Herb Philipson's, 1283 Arsenal St., and Burlington Coat Factory in the mall. He agreed to pay restitution to those businesses as well as to Kohl's and Best Buy.
If he successfully completes Drug Court, it is anticipated that he will be sentenced to three years' probation. If he does not complete the program, the anticipated sentence is four years in state prison, followed by two additional years of supervision upon his release.
In other court activity Thursday:
William E. Cady,55, of 17961 First St., Adams Center, pleaded guilty to felony aggravated driving while intoxicated and was referred to Drug Court. He admitted that he drove Sept. 6 in Adams after previously being convicted of an alcohol-related offense. If he completes Drug Court, it is anticipated that he will be sentenced to a period of probation and fined $1,000. If not, he could face a prison sentence of 11/3 to 4 years and a fine of $3,500.
Willie Scott Jr.,59, had a Jan. 22, 2009, guilty plea to a charge of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance vacated and was allowed to plead to misdemeanor seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance after having completed Drug Court. He subsequently was sentenced to three years' probation. He had been accused of selling cocaine in Watertown in October 2008.
Franshon M. Purvis Jr.,22, Watertown, was arraigned on an indictment unsealed in court charging him with two counts each of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was accused of having and selling cocaine within the county in November.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and is expected to be sentenced April 23 to six months in the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building, followed by five years' probation.
In court Wednesday, a Theresa man was restored to probation after admitting in August that he violated terms of his supervision.
John R. Blakeslee,27, address not available, also was sentenced to an unspecified amount of time served at the PSB for an Aug. 26 admission to a probation violation. He admitted at the time that he violated supervision by consuming alcohol while on probation and by being convicted of third-degree menacing in Little Falls. He is serving three years' probation imposed in July 2008 for a second-degree reckless endangerment conviction stemming from a domestic incident.
