Felony Cocaine Possession In East Hampton

A traffic stop on Floyd Street led to the arrest of a long-time East Hampton resident who now lives in Florida on felony cocaine possession charges late Saturday afternoon, October 13.

Aaron Petty, 27, was driving a 2007 BMW when he failed to yield for oncoming traffic near the intersection of Floyd and Spinner Lane. After making the stop, the officer reported smelling marijuana, and initiated a search of the vehicle, which turned up 23 small plastic packets of cocaine, hidden in the glove box, the police said, with a total weight of over one-eighth of an ounce. Police allegedly also found a small electronic scale.

Petty was charged with two felonies, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, and possession of over an eighth of an ounce of the narcotic. He was also charged with one misdemeanor, with police saying they found a half tablet of Xanax. After transporting Petty to police headquarters, they added a violation charge of unlawful possession of marijuana. The packet of marijuana was allegedly found in the back of the patrol car Petty had been transported in.

Petty denied the drugs were his. He claimed a friend had been using the car, which is registered to Petty at his North Miami address.

Brian DeSesa, who represented Petty for his Sunday morning arraignment, entered a denial to the felony charges on Petty’s behalf. East Hampton Town Justice Steven Tekulsky said during the arraignment that Petty is facing similar charges out of Southampton Village, following an arrest there in March of this year. DeSesa said Petty grew up in East Hampton, and graduated from East Hampton High School. He pointed out that Petty’s aunt and uncle were in the courtroom. Petty told Justice Tekulsky that he had been working during the season in Montauk at the Royal Atlantic’s beach bar, but had been planning to return to Florida this week.

Tekulsky set bail at $10,000. Petty, overwhelmed with emotion, turned and looked at his aunt, saying, “That’s a lot of money.” He was taken to county jail later Sunday, where he remained as of Tuesday morning. If Petty fails to post bail, the district attorney’s office will have until Friday to obtain an indictment from a grand jury on the felony charges, or they will be required to release him under the law governing such cases.

t.e@indyeastend.com