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Felony Charges for N.J. Pair

Thu, 08/22/2024 - 11:37

Two Jersey City residents were set to return to East Hampton Town Justice Court on Thursday in a virtual follow-up after both were arraigned on July 26 on charges of possessing stolen property; one was additionally charged with felony drug possession.

According to police reports released this week, Francisco Leonpopa, 24, and Melissa Rossi, 22, were allegedly in possession of a J.P. Morgan Visa credit card at Duryea’s in Montauk on July 25 without consent of the cardholder. Later that day on South Emery Street in Montauk, police said Mr. Leonpopa was found to have three vials of a substance that later tested positive for crack cocaine. The drugs weighed over 500 milligrams, according to police.

Police charged Mr. Leonpopa with a class-D felony for drug possession and two class-E felonies for possession of the stolen property. Ms. Rossi was charged only with one class-E felony for possession of stolen property.

The next day, East Hampton Judge Steven Tekulsky released both Mr. Leonpopa and Ms. Rossi on their own recognizance and scheduled the virtual follow-up.

On the Police Logs 06.18.26

Last week in Montauk, a Pennsylvania couple called police to complain that they’d been barred from taking their service dog into Duryea’s restaurant. The manager told them they were welcome to get takeout and eat at a picnic area across the street.

Jun 18, 2026

New Victim Comes Forward

A second victim of a postal worker accused last month of sexually assaulting a child in East Hampton has come forward, resulting in his indictment by the county on two violent felony charges.

Jun 18, 2026

Passenger and Driver Booked

At 4 a.m. on June 3, East Hampton Town police stopped a car on Napeague and wound up charging both a passenger and the driver with drug-related offenses.

Jun 18, 2026

Police ID Woman Found Dead in Montauk Woods

Update: New York State police have identified a woman found dead in the woods in Montauk Thursday as 35-year-old Lauren Balik of New York City.

Jun 12, 2026

 

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