Fire Chief Indicted On Drug Charges

A now-suspended assistant fire chief with the Westhampton Beach Fire Department, Kevin Raynor, 32, who was arrested over the 2018 Thanksgiving holiday weekend by Southampton Town police on major felony narcotics possession charges, remains free after being arraigned in county court on Friday, February 1.

According to the office of District Attorney Tim Sini, Raynor was driving his department-issued 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe on Carols Way in Hampton Bays early on the evening of November 24 when he was pulled over for allegedly failing to maintain his lane of travel. Police said he had 155 packets of heroin in his possession.

The Suffolk County Crime Lab reportedly tested the narcotic’s purity after his arrest, and determined that Raynor was in possession of over an eighth of an ounce of the drug, triggering a B felony, possession of heroin with intent to sell. He is also facing a C felony possession charge, as well as a misdemeanor charge of official misconduct.

When Raynor was originally arraigned in Southampton Town Justice Court on November 25, bail was set at $5000, which was posted. After the results of the lab tests on the confiscated drugs became known to the district attorney’s office, Raynor was indicted on the charges by a grand jury in January.

He was arraigned in the county courtroom of Justice Timothy Mazzei, though the case will ultimately be adjudicated before Justice William Condon, who was not available for the February 1 session. Raynor will appear before Justice Condon for the first time on Friday. Justice Mazzei agreed February 1 not to raise the bail amount on Raynor.

Raynor’s attorney, Robert Macedonio, said after the court session that his client has entered a drug rehabilitation program.

Raynor was suspended by the Westhampton Beach Fire Department immediately following his arrest.

“His actions were irresponsible and criminal, and we will hold him accountable,” District Attorney Sini said in a press release after Raynor’s arraignment in county court.

If convicted, he faces up to nine years in state prison, according to the DA’s office.

t.e@indyeastend.com