Drug-Related & Endangering the Welfare of a Child Charges Filed Against 3 Adults

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports three adults were arrested and charged with numerous drug-related counts as well as endangering the welfare of a child following a traffic stop in the Town of Concord.

Around 1:30 A.M. on June 23, Deputy Thurston stopped a vehicle on Genesee Road for vehicle and traffic violations.  The Deputy observed four occupants in the vehicle, three adults, and one child, and recognized the rear passenger as Dana Lichy, 30, of Salamanca from a prior arrest.  After speaking with the occupants, Deputy Thurston requested the narcotics detection K9 team of Deputy Szkatulski and Monty to assist with the traffic stop.

Monty made multiple positive indications around the car and Deputy Szkatulski located a small package of heroin.  The three adults were detained for criminal possession of a controlled substance, and the child was cared for until custody arrangements could be made.  Deputies Thurston, Szkatulski, and Feggans performed a search of the vehicle where they discovered additional packages of heroin and hypodermic needles.  Also discovered were packages of heroin, prescription drugs, crack cocaine, a crack pipe and needles concealed on Lichy and Tracy Griffin, 35, of Sinclairville.  The third occupant, Richard Farnham, 50, of Sherman was found to be in possession of heroin, needles, and of a felony amount of crack cocaine.

All three occupants admitted to having Griffin’s 5-year-old daughter in the vehicle when they purchased narcotics in the City of Buffalo.  Deputies and Child Protective Services made arrangements for a relative to take temporary custody of the child.

Defendant Griffin is charged with a felony count of criminal possession of cocaine, misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hypodermic instrument, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Defendant Lichy is charged with two misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hypodermic instrument, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Defendant Farnham is charged with a felony count of criminal possession of cocaine, misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hypodermic instrument, and endangering the welfare of a child.

All three subjects are being held at the Erie County Holding Center pending their arraignment on June 23.