Senior Corning, Horseheads fire official accused of selling heroin
A high-ranking official in two Southern Tier fire departments stands accused of selling heroin following a 10-month investigation, police say.
Thomas C. Margeson, 43, of Horseheads was indicted by a Chemung County grand jury on a count of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony.
He was taken into custody Monday by representatives of the Chemung County Sheriff's Office in connection with an investigation into the sale of heroin in the Town of Horseheads.
The indictment follows a 10-month investigation by the sheriff's office Criminal Investigations Division.
The indictment alleges that Margeson knowingly and unlawfully sold heroin on Oct. 26, 2016.
A second suspect who hasn't been named yet is also expected to be charged in connection with the case, according to the Chemung County District Attorney's Office.
Margeson is a deputy chief with the Horseheads Village Fire Department and is also a lieutenant with the Corning Fire Department. He was suspended from both positions Monday.
"I found out [Monday] just after it happened," said Horseheads Village Manager Brad Lytle. "We’re in recovery mode. It doesn’t reflect negatively on the other guys."
Corning City Manager Mark Ryckman confirmed Margeson was suspended without pay Monday but declined further comment. In 2016, Margeson's Corning salary was listed at $81,000, according to public database records.
Margeson joined the Corning Fire Department as a firefighter in 1998 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2014.
The population of Corning is nearly 11,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The Horseheads Fire Department protects a village of about 6,500 residents.
Margeson was committed to the Chemung County Jail without bail pending further court proceedings.
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