Lowville man pleads innocent to sale, possession of drugs

LOWVILLE — A Lowville man already being held on a pair of drug-related charges was arraigned on two more Wednesday in Lewis County Court.

Ryan W. Granger,29, Sharp Street, was arraigned on charges of third- and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and pleaded innocent to both. His case — also including prior charges of third- and fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance — was adjourned to Aug. 5.

Mr. Granger was charged with possessing heroin and methylphenidate, the generic equivalent of Ritalin, on Jan. 22 in the village of Lowville.

The prior charges allege that he sold Suboxone on Jan. 3 and Vicodin on Jan. 13.

Also in Lewis County Court Wednesday,Robin M. Zwart,55, Utica, was arraigned on a charge of third-degree grand larceny and pleaded innocent. His case was adjourned to Aug. 5.

Mr. Zwart was charged with collecting $9,921.36 in public assistance benefits through the Lewis County Department of Social Services to which he was not entitled between Nov. 6 and 29, 2006. The former Brantingham resident failed to report an inheritance while continuing to accept benefits, according to Lewis County sheriff's deputies.