NY medic charged with allegedly stealing drugs from public dropbox

Jon Cinelli came under investigation after officials observed him allegedly violating regulations that required two paramedics to empty the drug drop-off box

July 11, 2019 11:50 AM

Prosecutors said Jon Cinelli was charged with petit larceny and is being indicted for a felony count after he allegedly stole various prescription medications from a drug drop-off box.

By Harold McNeil
The Buffalo News, N.Y.

TONAWANDA, N.Y. — A Town of Tonawanda paramedic was arraigned Tuesday before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes on an indictment charging him with one felony count each of third-degree and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors said 52-year-old Jon Cinelli, of Grand Island, also was charged with petit larceny — a misdemeanor — after he allegedly stole various prescription medications from a drug drop-off box in the lobby of the town police department building.

Cinelli and another town paramedic were fired March 28, after a hearing by Police Chief Jerome C. Uschold III.

Cinelli came under investigation by the District Attorney’s Office after officials observed him allegedly violating regulations that required two paramedics to empty the drug drop-off box.

He was released on his own recognizance.

A date for Cinelli to return to court has not yet been scheduled, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

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