2008/11/20

Misty Gallo asked Schenectady County Court Judge Karen Drago to accept a sentence of less than five years as part of an earlier plea bargain in the case. Korkocz cited mental health issues and alleged Gallo was coerced by a co-defendant to take part in the drug ring.Drago, however, rejected the application after a lengthy closed-door conference. She indicated she had listended to the recordings of state police wiretaps and had become well apprised of what members were doing or allegedly doing."I know it's hard for you to accept, but you were a major player in this organization," Drago said, noting the large amount of drugs brought into the area from Long Island.Gallo had hoped for a four-year sentence, but Drago rejected that deal in June. The judge had also said she would accept nothing less than 5 1/2 years, but ultimately agreed to the five-year deal, something Assistant Attorney General Michael Sharpe noted in court. Sharpe also noted that Gallo had faced indictment on more counts had she not taken the previous deal.Gallo was among two dozen arrested in the ring earlier this year, including ringleaders Kerry Kirkem and Oscar Mora. Of 25 defendants, 21 have pleaded guilty, including Gallo, Kirkem and Mora. Three cases remain pending, against former Schenectady police chief Gregory Kaczmarek, his wife, Lisa, and Wilfred Cordero.Gallo was among the first arrested in the case, taken into custody in March. Authorities said she made multiple trips to Long Island at the direction of Kirkem to bring back shipments of cocaine and heroin.
On Feb. 20, authorities seized more than $23,000 in drugs from her car, but didn’t tell her. Instead, they let her go on her way to see how the organization would react.Gallo was also charged last week at the Schenectady County Jail with making graffiti, accused of drawing on her cell wall.

0 comments:

Post a Comment

van