February 20, 2012 at 5:07 p.m.
Dalka bound over for trial in 'bath salts' case
Dalka bound over for trial in 'bath salts' case
After accepting the waiver, Oneida County Circuit Judge Patrick O'Melia ruled there is probable cause, based on the allegations in the complaint, to believe Patrick R. Dalka committed a felony and bound him over for further proceedings.
Dalka, 34, is charged with possession and delivery of MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone, a substance commonly found in the designer drug known as bath salts) and child neglect.
According to the National Institutes of Health website, bath salts is a common name for a powerful, designer stimulant drug that mimics the effects of cocaine and methamphetamine. It is believed the name bath salts is used because the substance looks similar to bath salts commonly used for soaking in bathtubs.
Dalka's preliminary hearing started Feb. 10, and featured testimony from one of the investigating officers, but was postponed until Feb. 17 so that another officer (who was unavailable due to an emergency) could also offer testimony.
The officer was present Friday but Dalka chose not to continue the hearing.
The complaint against Dalka indicates police began investigating him after his wife asked authorities to search her vehicle for explosives. According to the complaint, Dalka's wife told authorities her husband told her he put two quarter sticks of dynamite in her car. She also told officers her husband has been "hallucinating in the middle of the night for no explainable reason" and had advised her he is the "middle man" for drug dealing.
Dalka was charged with child neglect after witnesses told officers he took his pajama-clad infant son outside in subzero temperatures while high on bath salts, according to the complaint.
Dalka's attorney, public defender Mary Hogan, said Friday her client will be entering treatment for substance abuse in a few days.
He is scheduled to be arraigned March 12.
Oneida County District Attorney Mike Bloom said the charges against Dalka may be modified after testing of the substance in question is completed.
"The evidence in this case is evolving relative to the specifics of the substance that is actually involved, that has been referred to colloquially as bath salts, so there is a possibility, if not a probability, of some different charges being brought," he said.
Dalka is being held on $2,500 cash bail. He faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted of all charges.
Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].
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