Two from Rock City arrested in heroin sting

Julian Ketchel, 28, of Rock City, was arrested on felony drug charges July 31 at 5:04pm in the Town of Ulster after the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT) set up a fake drug transaction, according to a report from the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office. A second Rock City resident, Scott Hunter, 56, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge in the sting.

According to the sheriff’s report, URGENT set up the fake transaction after investigating reports of a male known as “Julian” selling heroin in Dutchess and Ulster counties. The two suspects were arrested as they allegedly conducted a transaction at Route 32 and Route 199 in the Town of Ulster, according to the report.

Ketchel was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a controlled substance with an intent to sell, both felonies, along with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

He was arraigned in Town of Ulster Justice Court and remanded to Ulster County Jail on $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond.

Hunter was charged with criminal facilitation, a misdemeanor, the report said. He was released on an appearance ticket for a future court date.

URGENT was assisted in the operation by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Team and Village of Rhinebeck Police, the report said.

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