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Massapequa Park Teen in Leandra's Law Arrest

Accused driving while impaired by drugs with younger teens in the car.

A Massapequa Park teen, who cops said was driving under the influence of drugs, with younger teens in the car has been arrested under Leandra's Law, police said.

 Joseph Barrera, 19, was driving east on Fulton Street in Massapequa Park, when he allegedly ran a stop sign at Roosevelt Avenue. 

Police stopped Barrera's car and police said the driver showed signs of possible drug use. Police said they recovered a glass pipe containing marijuana, and placed him under arrest.

Barrera was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated under Leandra's Law, which makes it a felony to drive while intoxicated if there are passengers 15 or younger in the car. Police said Barrera had a 15 year-old boy who was in the car, as well as an 18-year-old passenger.

Both passengers were released to their parents and were not charged, cops said.

Barrera also faces charges of driving with ability impaired by drugs, criminal possession of marijuana and endangering the welfare of a mionor.

Kristen Ferrari February 7, 2013 at 02:14 pm
Jean, don't mistake questioning the effectiveness of a law with saying what happened isn't dangerous. The Rockefeller Laws were the strictest in the country and if they were effective we would not be having this discussion today. Obviously they didn't do anything to stop the drug problem and that is my concern with Leandra's Law. Is it being applied fairly? Is it even going to be effective as a tool to combat driving under the influence of any substance? Why aren't the current laws regarding driving under the influence enough? Do we really need more laws? Shouldn't driving drunk or high be enough? Are we placing more value on some lives over others? And yes, I do think that a parent or caregiver who drives impaired with kids in the car is a problem, but that's what the law was designed for. As a society, we need to start addressing the rising addiction rate. More laws has not been the answer so far. What makes any of us think that this law will be the answer? Does anyone really believe that this law is a deterrent? Part of educating? Is it the answer we seek?
Mike McKeough February 7, 2013 at 02:48 pm
"Just Weed" People straight up it only gets worse. Im not guna sit here an talk shit about Joe cause iv been down that road nothing like dis but still "MAN UP"
Jon doe February 7, 2013 at 02:52 pm
Baffled as to why he was with a 15 year old considering everyone knows what this loser is about that little kid is in route to ruining his life..probably wasnt just weed but that's all they caught him with this kids a complete tool sucks for him
B. A. B. February 7, 2013 at 03:17 pm
love your "writing style"
ron santori February 7, 2013 at 07:10 pm
Sure bet: He'll be doing a life sentence under the installment plan the rest of his life.
jean g February 7, 2013 at 08:13 pm
Unfortunately these kids are just not getting it. They did this as teens and now they are getting into cars. That is when they need to be held accountable as adults. If you are old enough to drive u need to be responsible. I resent their lack of responsibility for others on the road.
Kristen Ferrari February 7, 2013 at 10:29 pm
Jean, I'm not disagreeing that there should be penalties and I'm not disputing that it is dangerous. But we know we have a problem, not just in Massapequa, but across the country. What do we think is going to be different because he's locked up under a specially named law as opposed to just a regular charge for driving under the influence? Does anyone think that this kid was even considering what kind of charge for what he was doing? That's more my issue. So far there are not laws or sentences in place that have reduced our problem. What can be done to reduce this problem and not just make a pretty headline? No disrespect to the police but this law is part of a numbers/headlines game and not actually reducing crime.
I would also say that as a mother, no kids are perfect and while I say a prayer that I did all I can as a mother to prevent this type of behavior, can any of us really say that 100%?
Dan Justin Wagner February 8, 2013 at 06:08 am
They forgot to write how both those scumbag cops narcs beat joe up while he was in handcuffs for no reason and these cops called the 2 other kids who went free on blocked numbers threatening them... The 2 kids who went free told me what really happened.. These narcs should be in jail not joe... He did not deserve this... Police don't get Assault charges for some reason... Police Brutality is not cool
B. A. B. February 8, 2013 at 08:55 am
I hope that you never need a "Scumbag Cop" to help you in a very difficult sitation! Your reply is simply disgusting.
Dick Blair February 8, 2013 at 12:36 pm
I heard he cried like a little girl. Boo hoo!
Dick Blair February 8, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Massapequa Patch needs to get the spelling correct.
It iS: B A R R E R A Thank you! Court:Nassau First District Court Case #:2013NA002909 Defendant:Barrera, Joseph A
Dick Blair February 8, 2013 at 12:58 pm
Ha ha ha...law enforcement wrote this guy up. Must have been a real gentleman, eh?
VTL 375.30 30 Infraction, 1 count, Arrest charge, Arraignment charge Description:Vtl VTL 375.12 12 Infraction, 1 count, Arrest charge, Arraignment charge Description:Equip Vio:safety Glass Oth Veh PL 260.10 01 A Misdemeanor, 1 count, Arrest charge, Arraignment charge Description:Act Manr Injur Child < 17 PL 221.10 01 B Misdemeanor, 1 count, Arrest charge, Arraignment charge Description:C/p Marihuana-5th:public Place Weapon/Drug:Marihuana VTL 375.12 12 Infraction, 1 count, Arrest charge, Arraignment charge Description:Equip Vio:safety Glass Oth Veh VTL 1192.4 04 Unclassified Misdemeanor, 1 count, Arrest charge, Arraignment charge Description:Op Mv Impaired By Drugs 1 VTL 1192.2U 2U **TOP CHARGE** E Felony, 1 count, Arrest charge, Arraignment charge Description:Agg Dwi:with Child-1st Offense VTL 1172.A 0A Infraction, 1 count, Arrest charge, Arraignment charge Description:Fail To Stop: Stop Sign
B. A. B. February 8, 2013 at 01:05 pm
At least we are trying. People like that should be arrested and locked up. I am a responsible driver and don't want to run into him (no pun intended) nor do I expect him to damage my car or brake my bones, or worse, kill me. Your views are way too liberal. Why does this 19-year old not have a job? Who is paying for his car and all of the expenses that go with it? Where are his parents? People like that are a drain on society and when something goes wrong, the parents are yelling, "NOT MY SON/DAUGHTER. Yes, being locked up is a deterrent! At least, he's off the street and can't hurt me.
Dick Blair February 8, 2013 at 01:17 pm
Name:Barrera, Joseph A
Birth Year:1993 NYSID:9852193P Incident and Arrest Incident Date:February 5, 2013 18:40 CJTN:65896248L Arrest Date & Time:February 5, 2013 19:00 Arrest #:R0300660 Officer Mike Tedesco Agency:NCP Command:07PCT
michelle February 8, 2013 at 01:20 pm
It is even more disgusting that if you have a badge you can assault or harass people. Internal affairs should remove the rest of the corrupt officers.. Tedescco was not the only one that gives the 7th precinct a bad reputation.
LT February 8, 2013 at 01:23 pm
you lump all "kids" together. my son is no angel but he and all of his friends are very serious about drunk driving. they take precautions. so please keep your mouth shut!
tj February 8, 2013 at 01:26 pm
Leandras law is over reacting...im sure these 2 are friends....15 and 18.....they are just milking this poor kid....how about enforce heavy laws and penalties on real criminals......
Dick Blair February 8, 2013 at 01:52 pm
Tell it to the judge.
Dick Blair February 8, 2013 at 02:00 pm
Apparently, well known to NCPD 7th Pct...
Stolen Property/ Drug Arrest On March 20, 2012, Joseph Barrera, 18 of Massapequa Park, was arrested on Sunrise Highway near Park Boulevard, Massapequa Park and charged with petty larceny, fivr counts for criminal possession of stolen property and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. From the Massapequa.patch.com of March 2012: http://massapequa.patch.com/articles/police-blotter-burglary-on-hamilton-avenue
Dick Blair February 8, 2013 at 02:03 pm
From Newsday.com:
Seventh Precinct police officers saw Joseph Barrera, 19, of 266 Pacific St., Massapequa Park, driving a 1998 Audi east on Fulton Street at 7 p.m. when he passed a stop sign at Roosevelt Avenue, Nassau County police said in a Thursday news release.. http://www.newsday.com/news/cops-teen-high-on-drugs-charged-under-leandra-s-law-1.4573503
Franken Harpo February 8, 2013 at 03:27 pm
Always the same ones...round up the usual suspects.
Franken Harpo February 8, 2013 at 04:01 pm
Another pending case for this individual:
Court:Nassau First District Court Case #:2013NA002377 Defendant:Barrera, Joseph A From a January 26, 2013 incident and arrest. Incident Date:January 26, 2013 18:55 CJTN:65878820Z
jean g February 9, 2013 at 07:20 pm
Why are we calling a kid who is driving under the influence running stop signs with kids in his cars innocent pedestrians on the street "that poor kid" and I'm sorry if there is a law in place stating a monor in the car wih an adult under the influence is against the law in addition to just driving under the influence the. It's a law. I grew up understanding that I had to respect and follow ALL laws . And as far as police brutality. When a person COMPLETELY COOPERATES there's no way I would believe that story. I am sorry people driving around doing drugs may not be the best source for the "real " story. Sometimes these kids that need help will not get it until an arrest happens. I pray that this arrest will put him in touch with some help.
Kristen Ferrari February 9, 2013 at 08:43 pm
Jean, I grew up in the same time as you and know that many high school kids were hanging out during school smoking pot. Remember Zappa's Woods? I know quite a few people from my graduating class that smoked pot and drove or drank and then drove. I don't say that to excuse behavior because while I wasn't a choir girl, I never drove under the influence of anything, I hate when I see people talk about how we grew up knowing to respect the law. Our generation smoked pot, drank underage, had sex, and broke the law. I'm not sure why people always feel compelled to do a comparison of the generations for things like this.
When we were kids, times were very different. Many of our parents didn't have a medicine cabinet filled with anti-anxiety pills, anti-depressants, or pain killers. We were allowed to hang out in our school yards and parks. There were places for us to go and we could go to a movie in the local movie theater and not have to pay a week's salary. This kid is just one of the many who are caught up in the rising addiction problem. We can scream about what good kids we were who always obeyed the law or we could recognize that teens are not always known for their great decision making and that they have more potent, more addictive ways to get high. We have a problem that goes beyond what kind of kids WE were.
its me February 11, 2013 at 03:56 pm
you must not be from around here because 90 percent of the police out here including the under covers verbally and physically abuse the younger kids 15-25
Franken Harpo February 11, 2013 at 04:29 pm
I believe the Nassau County Police Department. I am glad they impounded the Audi, too!
Keep up the good work. Thank you!
Mikey 2 times February 12, 2013 at 06:58 pm
Little dick Blair. I have evidence that proves your a chode.
jean g February 13, 2013 at 11:32 am
Kristen I agree and I also get frustrated about how a lot of blame is automatically thrown on the parents. Drugs and underage drinking has always been a teenage issue but it is so much worse now with all the drugs available. I don't know what the answer is but something must be done
Dick Blair February 13, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Success has many parents, failure is an orphan.
Dick Blair February 13, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Throw away the key.

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LT June 16, 2013 at 09:52 am
when you say elite do you mean the hard working people who have money? it's a matter of labels. youRead More call them elite..they call themselves hard workers. yes, some inherit money. but most of us work for it.
Michael Taustine June 16, 2013 at 09:01 pm
No, it has nothing to do with how hard you work. It's just that the elite one percenters are treatedRead More differently when they run afoul of the laws in this country. No one has been jailed for the corporate malfeasance that resulted in the financial crash of '08, in spite of the rules that were ignored or broken. Too big to fail is the order of the day. Meanwhile, petty frauds committed by poor and middle class are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Two Americas. The rule of law, unevenly applied, whether by race, or class, or economic station will result in the unraveling of society. We may well be seeing the beginnings of that now, as we've entered a new gilded age, where new robber barons are allowed to run roughshod over the lower classes. The very ideals of America are at stake, and we are letting them slide away.
Jack coyote June 12, 2013 at 03:24 pm
Will the new Massapequa station platform be covered end-to-end as it is now? If it will only beRead More partially covered, like Seaford station, there are going to be a lot of cold, wet, unhappy commuters.
Patrick O'Hara June 12, 2013 at 04:14 pm
Mr. Coyote, The design plans only call for a canopy over certain parts of the station platform, likeRead More almost all of the other stations along the branch. The canopies will be primarily over the staircases, elevator, waiting room, and one other small section on the middle section of the platform between the elevator and east escalator.
mj June 12, 2013 at 01:43 pm
Also blocks along Alhambra Road including Granada and Sutton. It rained the other day and was up toRead More the front lawn on one house that is still being renovated from Sandy!!!! Horrible if those owners saw this.