On Friday, August 30th, 2024 the Village of Liberty Police Department arrested Tyrone Hagans, 47 of Liberty after the execution of a no-knock search warrant at his residence of 76 Champlin Avenue Liberty NY. Liberty Police Detectives secured a search warrant with the assistance of the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office to search an apartment at 76 Champlin Ave following an investigation into drug sales at that location.

This investigation was part of the department’s ongoing strategy targeting individuals who sell dangerous narcotics such as fentanyl that result in fatal and non-fatal overdoses in Sullivan County. 

At approximately 6:00 a.m. the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Service Unit (ESU), assisting the Village of Liberty Police Department, executed the no-knock search warrant at Hagan’s residence.  During the execution of the warrant a member of the ESU, Detective Ryan Fridlich, sustained a serious injury to his hand. The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office has issued a press release regarding this injury which can be read below. Following the execution of the warrant and transportation of the injured Detective to Orange Regional Medical Center, members of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Village of Liberty Police Department, and the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office continued with the execution of the search warrant and detained the sole occupant, Tyrone Hagans. 

A search of the apartment resulted in locating crack cocaine, fentanyl, scales, packaging material, and United States Currency. Hagans was subsequently charged with criminal possession of a narcotic drug with intent to sell in the 3rd degree, criminal possession of a narcotic drug in the 4th degree, felonies, and two counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia, misdemeanors. Hagans was arraigned in the Town of Liberty Court and remanded to Sullivan County Jail without bail. 

The Village of Liberty Police Department thanks the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit for their assistance in this investigation and their ongoing commitment to the safety of Sullivan County residents. All of the members of the Village of Liberty Police Department send our prayers and support to Detective Fridlich and his family during this time of healing and adjustment. 

Criminal charges are merely allegations that a defendant has committed violations of the criminal law, and as such they are not evidence of guilt. All defendants have a presumption of innocence and are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the burden of New York State to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt

Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Press Release :

SULLIVAN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

On Friday August 30, 2024 the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Village of Liberty Police Department with the execution of a search warrant at 76 Champlin Ave. in Liberty. Members of rhe Sheriff’s Emergency Services Unit (ESU) entered the building at approximately 6:00 am and proceeded to the second floor where they attempted to breach an apartment door. During the operation a distraction device known as a “flash bang” went off prematurely and injured ESU team member Detective Ryan Fridlich. The distraction device was a reusable model that operates on inertia. Detective Fridlich was treated at the scene by tactical paramedics for a serious hand injury and transported to Garnet Orange Hospital in Middletown by police vehicle. The Detective was transferred to Westchester Medical Center later that morning where he underwent reconstructive surgery. Detective Fridlich is being released from the hospital today (09/09/24) and is looking forward to a speedy recovery.

All inquiries regarding the nature of the search warrant are being referred to Chief Steven D’Agata at the Liberty Police Department 845-292-4422.