Two plead guilty in drug trafficking
Two St. Lawrence County residents could face up to 20 years in federal prison after admitting their involvement in a drug-trafficking ring.
Nicole Tomassini, 37, Rensselaer Falls, and Henry Lacroix, 54, Norfolk, each pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court, Utica, to various drug charges, federal court records show. Mrs. Tomassini pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture more than 50 marijuana plants while Mr. Lacroix pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Both will be sentenced March 26.
Mrs. Tomassini confessed to helping grow and harvest marijuana in 2008 at Louis A. Tomassini Jr.'s home on County Route 16 in Rensselaer Falls. The plants were grown on the property and were hung to dry in his garage. She also "prepared the marijuana for packaging and distribution by cutting and trimming the plants," court records show. She was paid $10 an hour for the work.
Mr. Lacroix admitted in court to obtaining cocaine from Mr. Tomassini twice a month between June and September 2008 for sale throughout the county.
The investigation started when an off-duty state police investigator noticed an apparent drug deal occurring in the village of Canton, which led to Mr. Tomassini's home being raided.
Authorities arrested five people Oct. 6, 2008, including Mrs. Tomassini, and seized 72 weapons, including nine handguns, a .50-caliber sniper rifle and various assault rifles and shotguns.
The seizure at 52 County Route 16 included nearly 8 ounces of cocaine, numerous pot plants and about $10,000 in cash.
A few weeks later, 15 people were arrested, including Mr. Lacroix, on various federal drug charges stemming from the raid. Several law enforcement agencies participated in the raids.
Mr. Tomassini pleaded guilty in August in U.S. District Court, Syracuse, to conspiracy to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. He could receive from 10 years to life in prison when sentenced next year.
