Law enforcement officials with the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT) announced the arrest of a man from the City of Kingston and a woman from the Town of Kingston in connection with alleged distribution of crack cocaine and cocaine in our area.
According to a statement made on the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, Anthony N. Harding Jr., 28, and Meredith S. McSpirit, 29, were arrested on a host of charges related to drug sales and possession. Both were arrested, processed and released with court appearances scheduled for Jan. 31.
A six-month investigation
In response to complaints about drug sales in the Town of Kingston, URGENT, alongside the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit, began an investigation in July 2024. Authorities identified Harding Jr. and McSpirit as involved in selling cocaine products. Over the course of six months, the investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly expanded their operations throughout Kingston and into nearby townships.
On Jan. 13, a search warrant for the suspects’ residence was executed by URGENT. Crack cocaine, cocaine, cash, ammunition, drug packaging supplies, and other paraphernalia were seized during the search.
Previously in the news
McSpirit previously made news in Saugerties after a grand jury declined to file criminal charges against her for a car accident that claimed the lives of four Kingston residents in 2015.
In 2021, the Kingston Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit arrested McSpirit after investigating heroin and fentanyl sales in the city, charging her with two counts each of selling and possessing controlled substances in the third degree, as well as one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
McSpirit was also arrested in April of 2024 and charged with criminal impersonation and aggravated unlicensed operation, both misdemeanors.
Current charges as investigation continues
Harding faces four counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the third degree, five counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree, four counts of Conspiracy in the fourth degree, and a misdemeanor charge of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the second degree. McSpirit is charged with five counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the third degree, four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree, four counts of Conspiracy in the fourth degree, and one misdemeanor count of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the second degree.
The investigation remains active, and officials anticipate additional arrests. Agencies collaborating with URGENT include the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, local police departments from Shandaken, Lloyd, Marlborough, and Plattekill, Ulster County Probation, and federal agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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