Opinion
527841
06-27-2019
In the Matter of Darren FAVREAU, Petitioner, v. Donald VENETTOZZI, as Acting Director of Special Housing and Inmate Disciplinary Programs, Respondent.
Darren Favreau, Gowanda, petitioner pro se. Letitia James, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of counsel), for respondent.
Darren Favreau, Gowanda, petitioner pro se.
Letitia James, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of counsel), for respondent.
Before: Garry, P.J., Egan Jr., Clark, Devine and Rumsey, JJ.
MEMORANDUM AND JUDGMENT Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Albany County) to review a determination of the Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision finding petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
After a pat frisk in the prison yard's gate area detected an unknown object in petitioner's left sock, a correction officer conducted a strip search, which led to the discovery of a 2¾-inch hand-rolled cigarette containing a green leafy substance in petitioner's left sock and a one-inch cellophane-wrapped ball containing a green leafy substance in petitioner's right sock. Subsequent drug testing identified the green leafy substances as synthetic cannabinoids. As a result, petitioner was charged in a misbehavior report with possessing drugs and smuggling. Following a tier III disciplinary hearing, petitioner was found guilty as charged, and the determination was later affirmed on administrative appeal with a modified penalty. This CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued.
We confirm. Initially, the misbehavior report, the positive NARK II test results and related documentation, together with the hearing testimony, provide substantial evidence to support the determination of guilt (see Matter of Moise v. Annucci, 168 A.D.3d 1337, 1338, 92 N.Y.S.3d 736 [2019] ; Matter of Duchnowski v. Annucci, 168 A.D.3d 1302, 1302, 92 N.Y.S.3d 460 [2019] ; Matter of Young v. Rodriguez, 165 A.D.3d 1338, 1338, 85 N.Y.S.3d 603 [2018] ; Matter of Ortiz v. Venettozzi, 158 A.D.3d 865, 865, 70 N.Y.S.3d 598 [2018] ). "Moreover, the reasonable inferences to be drawn from that evidence support the smuggling charge" ( Matter of Ortiz v. Venettozzi, 158 A.D.3d at 865, 70 N.Y.S.3d 598 [citation omitted]; see Matter of Sanchez v. Fischer, 106 A.D.3d 1361, 1361, 965 N.Y.S.2d 397 [2013] ). Contrary to petitioner's contention, the information in the misbehavior report and on the request for test of suspected contraband drugs forms, as well as the testimony from the testing officer, establish that the proper chain of custody over the drugs was maintained (see 7 NYCRR 1010.4 [a]; Matter of Ballard v. Annucci, 170 A.D.3d 1298, 1300, 95 N.Y.S.3d 611 [2019] ; Matter of Moise v. Annucci, 168 A.D.3d at 1338, 92 N.Y.S.3d 736 ). Moreover, petitioner's due process claim that the proper testing procedures were not followed because the officer who discovered the drugs and authored the misbehavior report did not personally make a notation on the chain of custody forms is without merit. That officer stated in the misbehavior report that he maintained custody of the substances until he turned them over to the testing officer, who in turn testified that he filled out the chain of custody forms in their entirety and that the chain of custody was not broken (see Matter of Smart v. Fischer, 67 A.D.3d 1222, 1222–1223, 890 N.Y.S.2d 657 [2009], lv denied 14 N.Y.3d 705, 2010 WL 1077446 [2010] ; Matter of Oms v. Goord, 36 A.D.3d 1105, 1106, 826 N.Y.S.2d 858 [2007], lv denied 8 N.Y.3d 811, 836 N.Y.S.2d 550, 868 N.E.2d 233 [2007] ). Petitioner's remaining arguments, to the extent not specifically addressed, have been examined and found to be lacking in merit.
Garry, P.J., Egan Jr., Clark, Devine and Rumsey, JJ., concur. ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.