Saratoga Springs firefighter jailed on drug charges

PHOTOGRAPHER: Lee Coleman

A six-year member of the Saratoga Springs Fire Department has been charged with felony criminal possession of crack cocaine and endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly having young children in his house while being involved with illegal drugs.

Justin R. Moran, 31, was arrested at 9:30 p.m. Thursday at his Leonard Road residence after city police executed a search warrant as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.

Lt. John Catone, a Police Department spokesman, said two of Moran’s children, a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old, were at the house when he was arrested.

Moran was also charged with criminal possession of hypodermic needles and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors. Police said Moran has been on involuntary medical leave from the Fire Department since Jan. 19. He was paid $55,298 in 2011, according to city payroll records.

Janel M. Sweet, 30, also of Leonard Road, was charged with felony criminal possession of a controlled substance (crack cocaine), criminal possession of hypodermic needles, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of a child. Sweet is described by police as Moran’s girlfriend and the mother of his two young children. Catone said Child Protective Services was called and the children were placed with members of Sweet’s family.

Sweet and Moran were arraigned in City Court by Judge Jeffrey Wait and taken to the Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bond. Sweet and Moran are scheduled to reappear in City Court on Tuesday.

Leonard Road is located off Ballston Avenue in the southwestern part of the city.