Man alleged in distribution of cocaine at Oneonta bar

March 04, 2009 04:00 am

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A 36-year-old Bloomville man was arrested last week on felony drug charges after a patron of a downtown bar reported he was trying to distribute cocaine inside the establishment.

Joseph Chesko was also known by city police to be wanted on a warrant from Oneonta City Court for failure to appear on a criminal contempt charge, police said in a media release.

Officers Joseph Stockdale and Christopher Catapano arrested Chesko on the warrant at about 11:15 p.m. Thursday in The Novelty Lounge on Main Street and found two small, clear bags containing suspected cocaine after he was searched, police said.

While Chesko was being held at the Oneonta Public Safety building, the two officers returned to The Novelty Lounge to interview patrons and employees.

After those interviews, Chesko was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.

Chesko was arraigned Friday in city court and sent to Otsego County jail on $15,000 bail to await a court appearance.