Genoa man possessed meth ingredients

By Amaris Elliott-Engel / The Citizen

Friday, June 9, 2006 9:33 AM EDT

AUBURN - A Genoa man pleaded guilty in Cayuga County Court Thursday to the possession of several ingredients used to make the stimulant methamphetamine.
It is the first Cayuga County case involving a state law passed in 2005 to fight growing methamphetamine use in New York by criminalizing the possession of the drug's basic ingredients.

Michael Zirbel, 29, of Route 90, Genoa, pleaded guilty to the class E felony of the possession of the precursors of methamphetamine in front of Judge Mark Fandrich.

Zirbel was arrested by State Police Trooper Thomas Badman after a traffic stop Dec. 9 in which several common meth ingredients - including a ripped open battery, pseudoephedrine tablets and muriatric acid, a basic stripper acid - were observed in Zirbel's 1997 Dodge Ram.

Drain cleaner, three cans of starting fluid, a red plastic gas can and clear plastic tubing also were found in Zirbel's pickup by police.

Fandrich promised to recommend that Zirbel be considered for entry into the state Department of Correctional Services' Comprehensive Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment program if his drug treatment provider sends information indicating Zirbel has a substance abuse problem.

Inmates in the state program are non-violent felony offenders who spend time in prison-based treatment before being released into community-based work release treatment.

Zirbel's plea settled accompanying misdemeanor charges of second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

It also satisfied misdemeanor charges in a separate case that Zirbel entered a Genoa residence Aug. 18, stole a wine cooler and possessed a small quantity of crack cocaine Aug. 18.

His sentencing is scheduled for July 18. He faces one year or 1 1/2 years in state prison.

Also in court:

€ Albert P. Cole, 37, of 4512 Grange Hall Road, Moravia, entered a not guilty plea to felony charges of vehicular assault and misdemeanor charges of driving while intoxicated on White Road in Sempronius about 1:11 a.m. Jan. 1.

Two people in an oncoming vehicle were seriously injured in a crash with Cole's vehicle.

A conference in Cole's case was scheduled for next week. Motion arguments are due to be argued July 27.

His release on his own recognizance was continued by Judge Peter Corning.

Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net

The Citizens' Say

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There are 7 comment(s)

Response to Karen wrote on Jun 14, 2006 2:18 PM:

" He has nobody on the inside on his side...He has been beating and abused from the people on the inside...Maybe if people would help out our neighbors and stop being so quick to judge people when they make mistake we would have a MUCH better society for our children and grandchildren. We are ALL human, we ALL make mistake even you Karen. I can not tell you why some people do the things that they do, but for must people it is a cry for help. He has NOT hurt anybody but his self, that DOES NOT deserve prison. He needs help! "

unknown wrote on Jun 9, 2006 7:38 PM:

" This is really getting to be one county that has alot of flaws. Drunk driver,crashed vehicle, injured people and he is out on his own. Hmm..what does that say for our legal system??? "

unknown wrote on Jun 9, 2006 7:36 PM:

" Now Now lets not forget this is cayuga county. If the caged bird sings and continues to sing a slap on the hand is all they get. Think about it. How many of the past and present drug users, sellers been sent to rehab or probation. "

not available wrote on Jun 9, 2006 1:06 PM:

" He needs jail along with rehab and A LOT of counseling. He has been in trouble since his EARLY teenage years. He has clearly learned NOTHING from all the mishaps in his life nor his "friends" lives. He has been involved with drugs, alcohol, VIOLENCE, and has had close friends die because of all the above mentioned issues. It is time to grow up. "

nick wrote on Jun 9, 2006 11:46 AM:

" Zirbal does need rehab. But the gov has to controll drugs. they should legalize most like they do in holland and not have as bad of a problem. But that wont happen with our gov. To many high paying dea jobs would be lost. our justice system and our gov are pathetic. "

nope wrote on Jun 9, 2006 11:29 AM:

" he needs rehab not prison there are to many drug offenders in the prison system and they get more time then rapists and that isnt justice!! "

KAREN wrote on Jun 9, 2006 10:02 AM:

" WHAT HAS ZIRBEL GOT ON THE CAYUGA COUNTY JUSTICE THAT HE ALWAYS GETS A SLAP ON THE HAND. HE BELONGS PUT AWAY FOR A LONG TIME. "

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