On January 13th, 2024, at 3:39 PM, deputies observed a 2012 Hyundai Elantra near the intersection of West Seneca Street and North Meadow Street in the City of Ithaca. The vehicle was operating with a suspended registration due to no insurance. Subsequently, the vehicle was stopped on North Meadow Street near Third Street.
The driver, Barbara J. Barber, age 42, of Alpine, NY, was found to be operating with a suspended driver’s license. Eric Walker, age 41, of Newfield, NY, was found to be a passenger in the vehicle at the time. A search of the vehicle yielded approximately 18.31 grams of methamphetamine, 2 grams of heroin, a half gram of cocaine, a half gram of crack cocaine, numerous Schedule III and IV pills, and $1,323 in cash.
Both Barber and Walker were charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree (Class B felonies) and were held for arraignment at the Sheriff’s Office Centralized Arraignment Court.
On January 14th, 2024, deputies responded to Walker’s residence in Newfield and executed a search warrant. During the search, two illegally possessed firearms were located, as well as what appeared to be an alleged methamphetamine laboratory. The investigation is continuing, and additional charges against Walker are pending.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing. This is the second incident involving methamphetamine described in a recent press release from the Tompkins County Sherriff’s Office.