Three people in Broome County face weapons and drug charges

Two Binghamton men and a Johnson City woman face a dozen weapons and drug charges following a traffic stop by the Broome County Sheriff's Office's Strategic Response Group (SRG) in the city of Binghamton.

On Wednesday, September 4, at approximately 10 p.m., the Broome County Sheriff's SRG conducted a routine traffic stop in the area of ​​178 Matthews Street in Binghamton.

Patrol officers discovered that the vehicle was uninsured, unregistered, and uninspected, and that all three occupants had suspended driver's licenses. During the course of the investigation, officers discovered a partially concealed handgun on the floor of the vehicle, which ultimately led to the discovery of a loaded Springfield XD-40 .40 caliber pistol.

A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a plastic bag containing 8.9 grams of a clear, crystal-like substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine, as well as a digital scale.

None of the individuals claimed ownership of the loaded firearm, the methamphetamine or the scales.

Following the investigation, the three inmates were arrested on the following charges:

The driver, Stanley S. Conklin, 26, of Binghamton, NY, was charged with:

• Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine with intent to sell), a Class B felony;
• Criminal possession of a loaded firearm in the second degree, a class C felony;
• Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (with prior conviction), a class D felony;
• Criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree (firearm), a class E felony;
• Criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and
• 10 traffic violations.

One of the passengers, 39-year-old Jorge M. Cortina of Binghamton, NY, was charged with:

• Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine with intent to sell), a Class B felony;
• Criminal possession of a loaded firearm in the second degree, a class C felony;
• Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (with prior conviction), a class D felony;
• Criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the first degree, a class D felony; and
• Criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree (firearm), a class E felony.

The other passenger, Christen V. Sterling, 31, of Johnson City, NY, was charged with:

• Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine with intent to sell), a Class B felony;
• Criminal possession of a loaded firearm in the second degree, a class C felony;
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree (Firearm), a Class E Felony; and
• Criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

All three individuals were transported to the Central Arraignment Part for arraignment and are currently in custody at the Broome County Sheriff's Department Correctional Facility.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Binghamton Police Department in the investigation.