Former Police Officer Avoids Additional Jail In Drug Case

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A former upstate New York police officer has avoided prison time for turning a blind eye to her live-in boyfriend's illegal drug business.

Stephanie Costanzo was sentenced in federal court Wednesday to time served and three years of supervised release.

Authorities say the 29-year-old was a Niagara Falls police officer when she let her boyfriend, a convicted drug dealer, store cocaine and drug paraphernalia at her home in 2016.

Investigators say that although Costanzo didn't participate in the sales, she pleaded guilty to managing a drug involved premises.

The boyfriend, Raymond Hopson, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to drug-related charges.