PRESS RELEASE (ARREST)
DATE OF ARREST: January 10th, 2024
LOCATION OF ARREST: Higher Grounds
2 Ann Street, Amsterdam NY
NAME AND ADDRESS OF ARRESTEE(S):
Joel M. Faresta AGE: 48
Troy, NY 12182
NAME AND CLASSIFICATION OF CHARGES (F/M/V):
1. Criminal Sale of Cannabis 3rd ( A- Misdemeanor)
ARRAIGNMENT/BAIL STATUS: Faresta was processed on scene and issued an appearance ticket returnable to Amsterdam City Court at a later date.
INCIDENT NARRATIVE:
On January 10th members of the Amsterdam Police Detective Bureau conducted an underage cannabis enforcement detail to verify compliance with state laws. This comes after the Amsterdam Police Department received several complaints from local residents about the illegal sale of cannabis products to persons under the age of 21 years.
An undercover agent was sent into Higher Grounds, located at 2 Ann Street. While inside the building a vendor, Faresta, unlawfully sold a consumable cannabis product to the underage agent.
While there was probable cause for the arrest, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible.
