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February 4, 2025

Search Warrant Executed in Chemung County Leads to Narcotics, Firearms, and Explosive Materials Seizure

Search Warrant Executed in Chemung County Leads to Narcotics, Firearms, and Explosive Materials Seizure
Press Release

Seized

On February 4, 2025, the New York State Police Troop E Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (VGNET) executed a search warrant at 61 Staples Road in the town of Erin, Chemung County. This warrant was executed following a three-month-long investigation.

Assisting units included the New York State Police Special Operations Response Team (SORT), Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team (CCSERT), Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), State Police Horseheads Uniform Force (UF) and Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), Troop E Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU), and the Elmira Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit.

Seized Items

Narcotics and Currency:

  • Approximately 4 ounces of methamphetamine oil
  • Approximately 1 ounce of crystal methamphetamine
  • Scales and packaging materials for narcotics
  • $4,700 in U.S. currency

Firearms:

  • 20 firearms, several with defaced serial numbers, including:
    • 1 AK-47 assault rifle
    • 1 AR-10 assault rifle (Ghost Gun)
    • 1 SKS assault rifle
    • 2 sawed-off shotguns
    • 8 bolt-action rifles
    • 1 lever-action rifle
    • 6 shotguns
  • 11 high-capacity ammunition magazines
  • Approximately 10,000 rounds of assorted ammunition

Explosive Materials:

  • Approximately 20 pounds of binary explosive material (removed by BDU)
  • Chemicals and equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine (removed by CCSERT)

Arrests and Charges

Robert R. Budnick, age 42, of Erin, NY

  • Charged with:
    • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd (A-II Felony)
    • Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd (C Felony)
  • Arraigned in the Town of Horseheads Court and remanded to the Chemung County Jail on $250,000 bail or $1,000,000 bond.

Buck L. Bates, age 40, of Elmira, NY

  • Charged with:
    • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th (A Misdemeanor)
  • Released on an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Erin Court on February 25, 2025.

This is an ongoing investigation.