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Two people charged with dealing cocaine following arrests at Days Inn

By Howard B. Owens

Two people accused of dealing cocaine were arrested at the Days Inn at 200 Oak St., Batavia, early this morning.

Both were arraigned in City Court at 11 a.m.

Taheed M. Moffett and Lekisha M. Avant are both charged with criminal possession with intent to sell and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Judge Robert Balbick set bail for Moffett at $50,000 and for Avant at $15,000.

According to First Assistant District Attorney David Gann, if convicted, Moffett will have a second felony conviction. He also has a pending robbery charge.

Moffett, who was not represented in court by an attorney, which is common at this stage of criminal procedures, asked for reduced bail.

"I've been at every court date and haven't been late for one court date," Moffett said. "I hope that can be taken into consideration. I'm not a flight risk. I have family in the area and I've been coming to court."

Later, Moffett said he didn't understand why he was arrested.

"I know you've got nothing to do with this, Judge Balbick, but I didn't possess anything," Moffett said. "The other person had it."

Balbick explained that the state will have to prove its case at a preliminary hearing, but for now he was being arraigned on these charges.

Avant said she's only had a prior disorderly conduct charge, and that she lives with her mother and recently completed Job Corps.

If convicted, Moffett could be sentenced from two to 12 years, according to Gann. Avant's possible sentence is nine years.

Earlier today, Sheriff Gary Maha said there will be a press release forthcoming about the raid at the Days Inn at 12:30 a.m.  At this time, we don't know if any other individuals were involved.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m.: The Sheriff's Office has issued a press release on this case:

Moffett is 25 and a resident of 33 Turner St., Rochester. 

Avant is 22 and a resident of 314 Woodbine St., Rochester.

Members of the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force executed a search warrant over night on Room 121 of the Days Inn.  Batavia Police received a tip about crack cocaine sales at the hotel. The Sheriff's Office says more than $1,000 in crack cocaine was found in the search.

Doug Yeomans

Hmm..both have home addresses but both were staying at a hotel room in their home town? Moffett gave the same excuse I've heard on every episode of COPS: "It's not mine..it's not mine!"

Sheesh man, think about how ridiculous you sound. 1. You're in a hotel room that was raided. 2. an investigation was done and more than likely undercover buys were made from that room. These things must be done before any judge will issue a search warrant 3. You're in a room where you "knew" cocaine was being sold. Please don't insult my intelligence by saying you didn't know. 4. If you're not there selling it, what were you doing there? 5. You told the judge you've never missed a court date and have never been late and aren't a flight risk. Ummm...sounds like you're well versed in court proceedings so if you've been in trouble before, why were you in a hotel room where crack was being sold?

Do you think you were making good choices? Stop making excuses for why you're in trouble. Good grief...NEXT!

Dec 29, 2009, 1:43pm Permalink
Gary Spencer

I checked the DOCS website and learned that Mr. Moffett served four years for Criminal Possession of a weapon, he was just released in Sept. He also has a pending court date for robbery (I might conclude that this robbery took place after his Sept. release from prison) and now he is accused of selling crack, and he hopes to convince Judge Balbick that he deserves lower bail because he has made all of his court appointments?? I don't think so!!!

Do Not Pass Go...Do Not Collect $200!!!!!

Dec 29, 2009, 8:10pm Permalink
Bob Price

It must've been a slow news night at channel 4 last night-these 2 clowns made it on their 10pm newscast last night or night before.Seems to be most of drug arrests lately around Batavia are bums from Rochester-haven't seen many from Buffalo for drugs(just for robbing banks).......

Dec 30, 2009, 9:56pm Permalink

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