Gaines man sentenced to state prison for drugs, larceny

ALBION – A Gaines resident was sentenced to 1 ½ years in state prison on Monday for drug and grand larceny crimes.

Lee Q. Tisdale, 43, of 2822 Lattin Rd. was arrested last March following a six-month investigation into the sale and distribution of cocaine, ecstasy and methylone “bath salts” in Orleans County.

Tisdale admitted in County Court on Jan. 5 to stealing a Chevy van and selling the drug known as MDMA or ecstasy. He pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Judge James Punch sentenced Tisdale to a year in county jail for the grand larceny charge and 1 ½ years in state prison for the drug crime. He will serve the longer of the two sentences.

In two other cases in County Court, a man and woman from Medina both pleaded guilty to related drug crimes.

Both Steven J. Johnson, 35, and Tamara L. Butler, 37, have been accused of selling drugs between June and July.

Johnson pleaded guilty to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and could face up to five years in state prison when he is sentenced on June 29.

Butler pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree and could be sentenced up to two years in state prison on June 29.