The third member of a trio caught with drugs in a Batavia hotel room nearly a year ago entered a guilty plea to a drug possession charge in county court today, but has a chance to have his plea reduced if he successfully completes a drug program.
Benjamin Santiago was arrested with Justin Barker and Derick Barker on June 1 after the three men allegedly refused to leave the hotel after not paying the bill. When police arrived they found a quantity of drugs in the room.
The Barker brothers were later accused of plotting a conspiracy to kill Santiago.
Justin Barker later admitted to his role in the plot and was sentenced to two to six years in prison.
Santiago was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd. As part of a plea deal, Santiago entered a guilty plea today to criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th.
His case is being sent to Batavia Drug Court, where he'll be given a chance to complete a drug treatment program. If he successfully completes the program, he can return to county court, withdraw his guilty plea and plead guilty to a Class A misdemeanor.
He could still be sentenced up to a year in jail under that plea, but if he doesn't complete drug treatment successfully and comply with all of the other terms of his release, Santiago could facing from two and a third to seven years in prison.
Derick Barker, who previously entered a guilty plea to possession of a controlled substance and strangulation (stemming from an attack on an inmate in the Genesee County Jail), is currently serving a sentence that could stretch to eight years.
