Area law enforcement are seeking a father and son who skipped their Oswego County Court appearances Nov. 6 for criminal cases related to a powder cocaine ring centered in northern Cayuga County.

Bench warrants have been issued for the arrest of Jack VanDeviver, 50, with a last known address of 828 Ridge Road, Ontario, and his son, Michael.

Jack was the first of his codefendants to plead guilty in the case. He pleaded guilty to three class B felonies of second-degree conspiracy and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.He admitted obtaining cocaine from Westchester County and distributing it to sellers for distribution in Cayuga and Oswego counties.

Michael's case involving a conspiracy charge was still pending.

Auburn Police Department Officer Roger Anthony, one of the main investigators of the drug ring, said he wasn't surprised that Jack bailed on his sentencing.

"He's just a career criminal. He's older. He's got some health issues. He made it clear to me (during the investigation) he did not want to go back to state prison," Anthony said. He was surprised about Michael.

Leads about their location are slim. Authorities have checked Jack's last known address. "(Jack's) virtually disappeared," Anthony said.

Read the full report in Thursday's edition of The Citizen.