Sullivan County Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Cocaine Possession

A Sullivan County man has been sentenced to six years in state prison after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine and later failing to appear for sentencing, according to District Attorney Brian P. Conaty’s office.

Timothy Finnegan pleaded guilty on Jan. 16, 2024, to one count of Criminal Possession of a Narcotic Drug in the fourth degree, involving the possession of cocaine.

The conviction stemmed from an undercover investigation by New York State Police in the Town of Mamakating. The Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office assisted investigators in obtaining a search warrant for a residence as part of an investigation involving illegal firearms and narcotics.

When the warrant was executed, investigators recovered approximately 16 grams of cocaine and two firearms — a pistol and a revolver — according to the DA’s office. Finnegan and two other people were charged in connection with the search.

Finnegan was scheduled to be sentenced on March 18, 2024, but failed to appear. Judge James R. Farrell then issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Nearly two years later, on or about May 26, 2026, law enforcement located Finnegan. He was arrested, returned to court on the bench warrant and remanded pending sentencing.

Because Finnegan failed to appear for sentencing, prosecutors asked the court to increase the sentence that had originally been agreed upon as part of his guilty plea.

At sentencing, Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael Puma asked the court to impose six years in state prison followed by three years of post-release supervision. Finnegan’s attorney, Elissa Killian, opposed the request.

The court ultimately sentenced Finnegan to six years in state prison followed by three years of post-release supervision, consistent with the prosecution’s recommendation.

Conaty credited New York State Police with the investigation and the recovery of the firearms and drugs.

“I want to thank the New York State Police for their detailed undercover investigative efforts that led to a search warrant and the removal of dangerous guns and drugs from the streets of Sullivan County,” Conaty said.

Image Credit: Sullivan County Government