Delaware County Sheriffs Make Arrest in Burglary and Weapons Case

Sheriff Craig DuMond announced today that at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, August 14, 2019, Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies and Troopers assigned to NYSP Oneonta responded to a 911 call for a domestic dispute at a Pine Cliff Circle, Davenport, NY, residence.

Responding officers determined that 44 year-old James Stiefel of Mt. Vision, NY, forcefully entered a residence and threatened the occupant with a knife before fleeing the residence. Stiefel was later apprehended was taken into custody by Troopers after resisting arrest.

Further investigation by Deputies revealed Stiefel also possessed a portable methamphetamine laboratory at that location. The New York State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team was subsequently summoned and responded to the scene as Sheriff’s Investigators obtained a Search Warrant.

Execution of the Search Warrant by members of the New York State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team revealed Stiefel was in possession of methamphetamine precursors and manufacturing materials and more than two (2) ounces of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.

Sheriff's Deputies have charged Stiefel with the following:
Burglary in the First Degree, a class B violent felony;
and the misdemeanor offenses of:
Menacing in the Second Degree;
Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree;
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree;
and Harassment in the Second Degree, a violation;
Stiefel was arraigned in the Town of Davenport Court Wednesday night and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility without bail pending further court action.

Deputies will also be charging Stiefel with:
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a class A-II felony;
Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine in the Third Degree, a class D felony;
Criminal Possession of Precursors of Methamphetamine, a class E felony;
Criminal Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacturing Material in the Second Degree; a class A misdemeanor;
Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree; and
Resisting Arrest;

Sheriff DuMond and the members of the Delaware County Sheriffs Office wish to express their heartfelt thanks and praise to the brave members of the Pindars Corners Volunteer Fire Department and AMR Ambulance Service (American Medical Response, Inc.) who responded and remained on scene throughout the cleanup process to provide additional scene safety and remained ready to respond to any potential health, fire or explosion threat created by the clandestine methamphetamine laboratory.