Miller Place Man, Town Employee, Draws Felony Drug Charges

A Miller Place man and Brookhaven Town employee who police say conspired to sell drugs pleaded not guilty to a handful of felony charges on Monday, after being arrested on drug possession and conspiracy charges in late November.

According to court records, 30-year-old Thomas Forkin – employed in the town's highway department – remains held on $300,000 cash bail or $700,000 bond and is due back in court on Dec. 21.

Two other men were charged along with Forkin: Lake Grove resident Anthony Perretta and Johnny Vargas of South Setauket.

A News 12 report noted that the three reportedly sold Oxycontin and cocaine in bars around the northern Brookhaven area, and authorities allegedly found hundreds of unprescribed pills in Forkin's home, along with ounces of cocaine and $100,000 cash when it was raided by police.

Forkin is charged with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, as well as conspiracy in the fourth degree, both felonies. He is also charged with criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a misdemeanor.

Forkin made $60,312 as an employee of Brookhaven Town in 2010, the most recent records available on See Through New York. 

Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine released the following statement to Newsday: "It would be inappropriate to comment at this time as this is part of an ongoing investigation and I refer all comments to the district attorney's office."

Court records show Vargas is charged with one count of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, as well as conspiracy in the fourth degree, all felonies. He is also charged with criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a misdemeanor.

Perretta is charged with a felony count of conspiracy in the fourth degree and criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both misdemeanors.

According to News 12, more arrests and charges could be forthcoming.