Kingston, NY—On June 13, 2024, Peter Bonavita, age 49, of Kingston, was sentenced to 4 ½ years in State Prison related to his drug dealing; on the same day, he was sentenced to serve 1 to 3 years in prison for Conspiracy to distribute drugs in the Ulster County Jail by visiting Sullivan County Judge James Farrell. These convictions were secured through his pleading to two separate indictments on February 26 of this year.
Bonavita’s conviction for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell in the Third Degree, a class B felony, involved extended investigations conducted by New York State Police’s VGNET and other local law enforcement agencies. The Conspiracy conviction was secured when various arms of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office and URGENT identified Bonavita as one of several individuals involved in the trafficking of narcotics and other contraband into the Ulster County Jail.
Following sentencing on these matters on June 13, Bonavita was remanded to Ulster County Jail prior to being sent to state prison. During the Jail’s intake process, Ulster County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Officers determined that Bonavita was in possession of unknown contraband concealed inside his body. After being placed on a one-on-one watch, the contraband was recovered after four days. The contraband was determined to be a synthetic cannabinoid, also known as K2 or Spice, with a street value in the thousands of dollars. Bonavita was then arraigned on June 26 for charges of Promoting Prison Contraband in the First Degree, a class D felony, and faces up to 3 ½ to 7 years in prison, in addition to his previous sentences.
“The smuggling of any contraband, drugs and/or synthetic cannabinoid is not considered just a minor infraction within our facility’s walls—it is extremely dangerous, which must be taken seriously to protect the security and well-being of all incarcerated individuals and staff,” said Ulster County Corrections Superintendent Anthony Maggio. “All violators will be treated with the utmost seriousness to the fullest extent of the law. I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the District Attorney’s Office for following through in prosecuting these cases as they arise.”
“The conduct in this case is an example of the depth to which drug dealers go to bring their product into the facilities, and the vigilance required on the part of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking to inmates. This is an example of what law enforcement is up against in the efforts to reduce and prevent drug overdoses and deaths. For inmates struggling to achieve sobriety, Bonavita’s persistent conduct, alone and with others, over an extended period of time, makes it nigh impossible. As a community, we owe it to ourselves to remain vigilant and report drug conspiracies and activities to law enforcement.” said District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji.
The pending Promoting Prison Contraband case is being prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Paul V. Derohannesian. Defendant is represented by Marlborough attorney Matt Mahan.
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