Opinion
12-15-2016
In the Matter of Javares STREETER, Petitioner, v. Anthony J. ANNUCCI, as Acting Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision, Respondent.
Javares Streeter, Comstock, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of counsel), for respondent.
Javares Streeter, Comstock, petitioner pro se.
Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of counsel), for respondent.
Before: McCARTHY, J.P., LYNCH, ROSE, DEVINE and AARONS, JJ.
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Albany County) to review a determination of respondent finding petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
A sample of urine provided by petitioner after a family reunion program visit twice tested positive for the presence of K2, synthetic marihuana, and a sample of his urine provided prior to the visit tested negative. As a result, he was charged in a misbehavior report with using an intoxicant and violating family reunion program procedures (see 7 NYCRR 220.8 ). Following a tier III disciplinary hearing, petitioner was found guilty as charged, and the determination was affirmed on administrative appeal. This CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued.We confirm. The misbehavior report, drug test results and related documentation and the hearing testimony provide substantial evidence to support the finding of guilt (see Matter of Bailey v. Prack, 140 A.D.3d 1508, 1509, 37 N.Y.S.3d 163 [2016], lv. denied 28 N.Y.3d 904, 2016 WL 6208984 [2016] ). Contrary to his claims, petitioner was provided with all of the testing documents required to be disclosed, a proper foundation was laid for the admission of the test results and the specimen's chain of custody was established through information contained in the request for urinalysis form (see Matter of Paddyfote v. Fischer, 118 A.D.3d 1240, 1241, 987 N.Y.S.2d 719 [2014] ; 7 NYCRR 1010.5 ). Further, the "identity of the exact chemical compounds detected in the synthetic marihuana was not necessary" (matter of timmons V. ANNUCCi, 139 a.d.3d 1224, 1224, 29 n.y.s.3d 832 [2016], lv. denied 28 N.Y.3d 903, 2016 WL 4921699 [2016] ). We have previously recognized that rule 113.13, which prohibits the use of "intoxicant [s]" (7 NYCRR 270.2 [B][14][iii] ), applies to synthetic marihuana (see Matter of Ralands v. Prack, 131 A.D.3d 1334, 1335, 16 N.Y.S.3d 788 [2015] ; see also Matter of Shepherd v. Annucci, 142 A.D.3d 1244, 1244, 38 N.Y.S.3d 628 [2016] ).
Regarding petitioner's allegation that he was denied the right to call as a witness an employee representative of the urinalysis equipment manufacturer, this is incorrect. The record reflects that the Hearing Officer called the company and advised petitioner that the company declined to send a witness to testify at the hearing (see Matter of Smith v. Prack, 138 A.D.3d 1286, 1287, 31 N.Y.S.3d 235 [2016] ). Petitioner's remaining claims, to the extent that they are preserved, have been reviewed and found to be lacking in merit.
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.