Two Arrested in Drug Raid
An East Hampton man is facing significant time in state prison after a dawn raid by combined law enforcement agencies on Tuesday resulted in his arrest and the arrest of his brother.
Frank A. Hanna and Franaldo A. Hanna were charged with felony possession of over a pound of marijuana. In addition, Frank Hanna, 35, faces the more serious charge of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a C felony, a loaded .45-caliber handgun.
The raid was conducted in part by what was described as a special weapons and tactics emergency services unit of specially trained officers from the East Hampton Town, East Hampton Village, and Sag Harbor Village Police Departments. Also taking part were detectives with the district attorney’s East End Drug Task Force, East Hampton Town detectives, and K-9 units from the Suffolk County Sheriff Department.
Detective Sgt. Daniel Toia of the East Hampton Town Police Department said on Wednesday that the operation went smoothly and that no one was injured.
According to Rob Archer, an assistant district attorney, the weapons possession charge is considered a violent crime, with convictions resulting in a minimum of 3 to 13 years in prison. But Mr. Archer said Frank Hanna also had been convicted of a violent felony in 2013. Under New York State law, a second violent felony at the C level calls for 8 to 15 years in prison.
The raid occurred at 154 Springs-Fireplace Road in East Hampton, the same house where Frederic Stephens Jr., an acquaintance, was accidentally shot in May 2013 with a .44-caliber gun, leading to Frank Hanna’s earlier conviction on a charge of assault for recklessly causing physical injury.
Susan Menu, an attorney representing the brothers, said the handgun was not loaded. However, the ammunition was at ready access, which according to the police, is the same as being loaded.
In addition to the felony charges, Frank Hanna is facing three counts of possession of a controlled substance as a misdemeanor, two misdemeanor charges of criminal use of drug paraphernalia, and a misdemeanor charge of criminal possession of a weapon. Franaldo Hanna was charged with one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance. East Hampton Town police said that during the raid they found, in addition to the marijuana and the hand gun, oxycodone, cocaine, packaging materials for drugs, cash, and several long guns.
When it came time during their arraignment yesterday in East Hampton Town Justice Court, Ms. Menu told Justice Lisa R. Rana that the defendants’ families, as well as members of the Calvary Baptist Church, were in the courtroom. She huddled with Justice Rana and Mr. Archer at the bench as bail was being considered for Franaldo A. Hanna. Mr. Archer had asked for $10,000; Justice Rana decided that $3,000 was appropriate. Ms. Menu said the family would post it.
Frank A. Hanna’s bail was another story. Mr. Archer asked for $50,000. Ms. Menu asked bail to be $10,000, saying, “He has a wife and child.” Justice Rana sided with Mr. Archer, and Ms. Menu told her that the family would not be able to come up with that amount.
and Mr. Archer at the bench as bail was being considered for Franaldo A. Hanna. Mr. Archer had asked for $10,000; Justice Rana decided that $3,000 was appropriate. Ms. Menu said the family would post it.
Frank A. Hanna’s bail was another story. Mr. Archer asked for $50,000. Ms. Menu asked bail to be $10,000, saying, “He has a wife and child.” Justice Rana sided with Mr. Archer, and Ms. Menu told her that the family would not be able to come up with that amount.