Published: May 08, 2008 02:41 am      

WILSON: Suspect in alleged assault is arrested on drug charges

One of the Wilson High School baseball players charged in connection with an alleged assault on a school bus has been arrested on drug charges.

Colton J. Sherman, 16, 2655 Youngstown-Lockport Road, was charged early Wednesday with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Sheriff’s deputies said they found Sherman in possession of hydrocodone about 1:05 a.m. on Ransomville Road.

On Thursday, deputies reportedly stopped Sherman and two other 16-year-old boys, who were walking through the back parking lot of Ki-Po Chevrolet on Ransomville Road.

According to the report, the boys were wearing dark clothing and told deputies they were “just cutting across the lot to go to a friend’s house.”

Deputies patted down the boys for weapons, the report said.

While deputies were patting down Sherman, they reportedly noticed a bulge in his right front pocket. When they asked him what was in his pocket, he reportedly pulled out a sock.

Inside the sock, deputies reportedly found three clear plastic bags and tin foil. One bag contained a white powdery substance, and another contained two white pills that Sherman identified as hydrocodone, the report said.

The third bag reportedly contained a mixture of powder and pills.

The bags were sent to the county lab for testing.

Sherman was placed under arrest and held on $500 bail. He is due May 13 in Porter Town Court.

The other two teens were not charged.

Sherman, along with Christopher A. Sidote, 16, and Geoffrey A. Seefeldt, 18, is due May 22 in Wilson Town Court to face charges of third-degree aggravated sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.

Sherman, Sidote and Seefeldt are accused of assaulting at least two junior varsity players during an April 17 bus trip back to Wilson from Niagara Falls.

They were arrested April 25 after an investigation by state police.

Two coaches who were on the bus, William Atlas, the junior varsity baseball coach, and Thomas J. Baia, the varsity baseball coach, have been charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Baia and Atlas are also due to appear May 22.

Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.