Skip to main content

Law and Order: Elba man accused of choking, pointing shotgun at victim

By Howard B. Owens

Todd Allan Betts, 35, of Transit Road, Elba, is charged with reckless endangerment, 1st, endangering the welfare of a child, menacing, 2nd, criminal obstruction of breathing and harassment, 2nd. Betts was charged following the report of a domestic incident. Betts allegedly grabbed a woman by the throat and threw her to the ground. He allegedly pointed a shotgun in the direction of the woman and a child. Betts was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Tametha A. Wentland, 40, of Harlow Road, Darien, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Wentland is accused of physically contacting a victim. The incident was reported at 11:59 p.m., Saturday. Wentland was arrested by State Police.

Levi Winnie, 26, of 590 Council House Road, Basom, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. The alleged incident was reported at 4:15 a.m., Saturday. Winnie was arrested by State Police on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. No further details were released.

Doug Yeomans

Choking a woman and pointing a shotgun at her and a child. Why was he given bail at all? I sure hope he's never allowed to legally have a firearm again. I know that bail isn't a form of punishment but most people seem to be able to bail out when it's that low. What's to stop him from going right back to doing something stupid or even MORE stupid when he bails out and before he has a chance to cool off?

I grew up in a house where domestic disputes escalated to physical violence and to pets being dispatched with guns (by a mentally unstable step father). I was always fearful that he'd use them on us someday. I always wanted him put into jail and kept there but that never happened. Living in fear to that level will give anyone PTSD the same way that it happens to soldiers.

Lock him up and keep him there so that other people can feel safe again.

Aug 7, 2012, 8:49am Permalink
Steve Dow

Knowing Todd as I do, this seems extremely out of character. There must have been some extremely unusual circumstances involved here. He adores his son. There has to be something more to this.

Aug 7, 2012, 9:14am Permalink

Authentically Local