Two Akwesasne residents jailed after pot is found

Two Akwesasne, Ontario, residents were ordered held at the St. Lawrence County jail, Canton, on Friday, June 10 after 10 pounds of marijuana was allegedly discovered when they were stopped by the U.S. Border Patrol in Pitcairn. Bridget M. Skidders, 34, and Iaonhawinon, 21, were turned over to state police and charged with criminal possession of marijuana. They remained jailed Saturday on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond.

Two Arrested, Indictment Unsealed

Charging Conspiracy To Distribute Marijuana

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Lev Kubiak announced the unsealing of an indictment and the arrest yesterday of two individuals charged with marijuana trafficking.

Adam Michael Jacobs, 23, of Hogansburg, Moira and Bombay, New York, and Bradley Rickerl, 24, of Hogansburg, are charged with (1) conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana, and (2) possession with intent to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana. Each count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a $2,000,000 fine, or both. Jacobs and Rickerl appeared late yesterday before United Magistrate Judge Larry A. Kudrle, and are being held without bail pending a detention hearing on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. A federal grand jury in Plattsburgh had indicted Jacobs and Rickerl on June 29, 2011.

In addition to the arrests, agents executed search warrants at three properties, and seized approximately 50 pounds of marijuana, scales, baggies and a vacuum sealer, marijuana plants, firearms and ammunition, electronic data storage devices including cellular telephones, and United States and Canadian currency.

U. S. Attorney Hartunian acknowledged the important assistance rendered in this investigation by Saint Regis Mohawk Police Department. “The SRMPD is an important partner in our efforts to investigate cases that directly impact the public safety in Indian Country in our district,” said Hartunian.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.