POTSDAM, N.Y. - On January 5, 2010, members of the Potsdam Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency arrested Dr. Ramon E. Ravelo, 51, of Potsdam, N.Y. after a two-month investigation that was led by investigators from the New York State Department of Health - Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. Dr. Ravelo was arrested at 2:40 p.m. on this date at the Village of Potsdam Court, after turning himself over to the Court. A warrant had been issued for Dr. Ravelo's arrest by the Village of Potsdam Court on December 15, 2009.

Dr. Ravelo was charged with 5 felony counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, 1 felony count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, and 1 misdemeanor count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree. Dr. Ravelo was arraigned in the Village of Potsdam Court by the Honorable Tim Welch and was released to Probation supervision. Further court proceedings will be handled by the County Court of St. Lawrence County.

The arrests stemmed from allegations to the Department of Health that Dr. Ramon E. Ravelo was dealing in illegal activities involving narcotics while employed by the Canton-Potsdam Hospital as a psychiatrist during the time period from January 2008 through November 2009.

The investigation was conducted by investigators from the New York State Department of Health - Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, and uniformed and plainclothes officers of the Potsdam Police Department.