Steven Rathke

A 55-year-old Ridge Road man is facing contraband charges after he reported to Niagara County Jail Friday night wearing a nicotine patch on the bottom of his right foot.

Corrections officers were conducting a routine strip search on Steven A. Rathke, 7015 Ridge Road, when the patch was found, according to a report from the Niagara County Sheriff's Office.

The corrections officer in charge of the search ordered Rathke to hand over the patch that was on his right foot. Rathke responded by handing the officer a Nicoderm CQ transdermal patch.

Rathke was taken to Town of Lockport Court and arraigned. Justice Cheryl Antkowiak set bail for the alleged infraction at $250 and ordered him to answer to the charge on Thursday morning. Patrol then transported Rathke back to jail.

The nicotine patch was turned over to the Niagara County property room.

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