GI man arrested on felony drug charges

Story and photo by Karen Keefe
Grand Island Dispatch, June 22, 2007

Some of the materials found during a drug arrest on Tuesday were brought to the Erie County Sheriff’s Department Grand Island Substation. Deputies confiscated a dozen bags of marijuana, which they said was less than one pound and intended for resale, as well as drug paraphernalia and a 22-caliber rifle.

A Grand Island man was arrested Tuesday on drug, weapon and child endangerment charges after Erie County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a domestic dispute.

Paul W. Silsby, 26, of 57 Carl Road, was charged with felony possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor possession of a weapon, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful imprisonment.

Deputies said Silby’s live-in girlfriend was also facing charges of child endangerment because they said she knew he had a weapon and was selling marijuana. More charges are pending in the case.

About a dozen bags of marijuana were confiscated, along with a scale deputies said was used for weighing drugs. A 22-caliber rifle was also brought into the Grand Island Substation, “taken as a matter of procedure,” deputies said.

Deputy Terrance Guenot said the arrest would put a dent in the local distribution of marijuana in the Falconwood section and surrounding neighborhood.

The arrest was made by deputies David Barbaritz, Warren Luick and Scott Piel. They were assisted by the Narcotics Unit of the Erie County Sheriff’s Department and Detective Dennis Fitzgibbon.

“We had complaints from citizens about activity at that scene,” Fitzgibbon said.

He added the Sheriff’s Department is trying to address the drug problem and increase the safety and quality of life on Grand Island. This effort has also gained support through an anti-drug initiative formed on Grand Island this year. The group, comprised of educators, police, business people, parents and students, has united under the slogan, “One Island, One Team, One Dream, Striving to be Drug Free,” The group’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 26, at 4 p.m. in Room 108 at Grand Island High School.