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A 24-year-old North Carolina man, who reportedly participated in the Jan. 6 attempted insurrection in Washington D.C. and was later arrested in Le Roy with an illegal AR-15 rifle, entered a guilty plea to Federal charges today in U.S. District Court in Rochester.

Michael Alan Jones, of Charlotte, N.C., admitted to the felony of being in possession of a firearm and ammunition, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The charge stems from his March 19 arrest by sheriff's seputies following a traffic stop of a Nissan Sentra driven by Jones.

Upon approaching the vehicle, Deputies Kenneth Quackenbush and Nicholas Charmoun observed several knives, military surplus gear, and two compound bows inside the vehicle, according to a Federal affidavit by an FBI agent. 

The affidavit says a passenger in the car was identified only as PK.  The deputies reportedly observed a backpack on the passenger-side floorboard with bolt cutters protruding from the pocket.

Upon searching the vehicle, the deputies located pry bars, bolt cutters, and gloves, which, the affidavit states, the deputies believed to be consistent with burglary tools. They also found pepper spray and ammunition. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Moynihan, who is handling the case, stated that in February 2019, Jones was convicted in Alamance County, North Carolina, of two felony crimes, and as a result related to sexual involvement with a teenage girl, and is therefore legally prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Jones was originally scheduled to enter a plea a week ago but his hearing was delayed by his medical issues, according to Raw Story.

Jones was hospitalized for treatment of MRSA, a bacterial infection that resists antibiotics.

“His infection is very severe and he needs to remain at the hospital for about the next two weeks receiving intravenous antibiotics,” Slawinski wrote. “He also tested positive for COVID-19 last week while in the hospital. His condition is serious and it is possible that his leg may have to be amputated if the infection spreads further.”

Sentencing is scheduled for May 16 at 2:30 p.m.

It's Day 1B of the $15 million World Poker Championship in Las Vegas today -- it's the largest pot in poker tournament history -- and a Batavia native is still in it.

Ronald “Tigar” Penepent, who now resides just outside of Chattanooga, Tenn.,  won his $10,400 buy-in to the championship through a satellite tournament.

A satellite tournament is one where the top prize is a seat at a major, higher-buy-in tournament.

The WPT Championship runs through Dec. 18. 

Penepent is one of 1,531 entrants in the tournament, and the prize pool is now expected to exceed the original $15 million estimate. Registration for the tournament in Las Vegas closes at 10 p.m. EST, at which time the total prize pool will be set.

Penepent told PokerNews that his love of poker began with family and friends in Batavia. 

“It was always a dream of mine to win a big tournament, and I often shared this goal with my Dad," he said. "Sadly, my Dad passed away in 2020 from cancer. Winning an entry into this tournament is truly a bucket list item for me.”

He told PokerNews he would love to meet two poker legends, Doyle Brunson and Phil Hellmuth.

“During my time in Las Vegas, I will be joined by 10 family members," he said. "They will be there to support me and have fun as we always do. They will be traveling from New York, Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio, and Alabama.”

Photo courtesy of the Penepent family.

A pickup truck has reportedly hit a parked box truck in the area of 6366 Big Tree Road., Pavilion.

Injuries were reported but the latest info from the scene is that everybody is walking around so Pavilion Fire can proceed non-emergency. 

An approximately 25-gallon diesel fuel spill is reported at the TA Travel Center on Allegheny Road in Pembroke.

The initial spill reportedly happened at 9 p.m. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments were just dispatched. City Fire's FAST team is also dispatched.

A cardboard box fire was reported at Koolatron, 4330 Commerce Drive, Batavia, shortly after 7 p.m.

Town of Batavia Fire was dispatched.

Multiple employees reported boxes on fire and a dispatcher could hear the building's alarm sounding in the background.

The building was evacuated. The sprinklers were activated.

Elba Fire dispatched mutual aid.

City Fire asked to cover Town of Batavia calls, if any.

UPDATE 8:20 p.m.: Stafford and East Pembroke asked to have crews standby in quarters.

Eric Motquin

 

Eric R. Motquin, 40, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, tampering with physical evidence, and obstruction of governmental administration. Motquin was arrested following a traffic stop on Dec. 3 at 3:55 p.m. on Ellicott Street, Batavia. Motquin is accused of struggling with officers and attempting to destroy narcotics. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $1 bail. Motquin was also arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on an unrelated matter.

Tyshon L. Taylor, 25, is charged with attempted assault 3rd. Taylor is accused of an attempted assault on Oct. 13 at 11:39 on Oak Street, Batavia. Taylor, who is being held without bail on an attempted murder charge, was ordered held on minimum bail on this charge.

Jarrod K. Fotiathis, 27, no permanent address, is charged with grand larceny 4th, petit larceny, and conspiracy. Fotiathis and another person, unidentified in by police, are accused of stealing property on Nov. 16 at 4:09 a.m. at a location on Oak Street, Batavia. Fotiathis was issued an appearance ticket.

Alicia M Lyons, 43, of Batavia, is charged with trespass. Lyons is accused of trespassing at a location on Jackson Street, Batavia on Dec. 6 at 4:22 p.m. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Harry R. Silliman, 58, no permanent address, is charged with trespass. Silliman was charged following a report of a disturbance on Maple Street, Batavia, on Dec. 6 at 11:42 p.m.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

Robyn D. Scott, 65, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Scott was charged following a complaint on Dec. 6 at 7:46 a.m. of 'unreasonable noise' in the form of alarms causing an ongoing annoyance at a location on Walnut Street, Batavia. Scott was issued an appearance ticket.

Jean N. Pettit, 58, Batavia, is charged with DWI and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Pettit reportedly drove her vehicle on Dec. 5 at 6:01 p.m. and stopped at a residence on Vine Street, Batavia, and asked for assistance. A Batavia patrol officer responded and conducted a field sobriety test. Pettit was processed at Batavia PD headquarters and released on appearance tickets.

Parker Reid Davis, 29, of East Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Davis is accused of possession of a controlled substance during a probation home visit. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Andrew Anthony Crimes, 50, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal contempt 1st. On Dec. 8 at 10:49 p.m., Crimes reportedly entered Batavia Downs in violation of an order of protection. He is also accused of sending 111 text messages from Jan. 24 to Nov. 19 to a person in violation of an order of protection. He was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released.

Benito Anthony Gay, 34, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, falsifying business records 2nd, criminal use of an access device 2nd, and unlawful possession of personal identification 3rd. Gay is accused of using another inmate's personal ID number to make phone calls.

Willie Albert Sabb, Jr., 48, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Sabb was allegedly found in possession of cocaine during a traffic stop on Dec. 9 at 10:26 p.m. on Clinton Street Road, Stafford, by Deputy Zachary Hoy.

Michael David McCracken, 42, of Aberdeen Street, Rochester, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation 1st, and failure to signal. McCracken was stopped on Dec. 10 at 1:26 a.m. on Telephone Road, Pavilion, by Sgt. Mathew Clor.

Jeanna M. Hattaway, 35, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hattaway is accused of stealing in the Town of Batavia on Dec. 6 at 4:19 p.m.. She was arrested by State Police and released on an appearance ticket.  No further information released.

Carl E. Webber, 42, of Rochester, is charged with grand larceny 3rd. Webber was arrested by State Police in connection with a theft reported on July 14 at 5:37 p.m. in the Town of Batavia. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Taylor McCabe, of McCabe Enterprises, an electrical contractor, was one of four contractors on a job site at Brickhouse Corners in Pembroke to introduce students to the building trades.

Owner and developer Randy Fancher said he and his brother thought their mixed-use development -- retail and apartments -- was a good job site to show young people what a construction site is like and hear about the kind of work available in different facets of construction.

Besides electrical, students -- and their parents and grandparents -- learned about drywall, HVAC, and plumbing.

"We're letting kids know there are opportunities in the building trades," Fancher said.

For more on the development, click here.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Brian Stevens of DWC Mechanical talks about pipes with a group of students.

Cindy Merritt tries her hand at putting a screw into drywall.

Armani, with Batavia police officer Connor Borchert and his mother Ashley Ayala, was among 30 children selected this year to "Shop with a Cop" at Walmart for Christmas.

The children each had $150 to spend on presents for themselves or for others.  The toy aisles were the most popular part of the store.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Armani and Ashley.

Ivy with Investigator Eric Hill.

Angelique with Batavia PD Assistant Chief Chris Camp

Deputy Jeremy McClellan with a nine-month-old on his first Christmas shopping trip to Walmart (mother asked that we not identify the child).

Deputy Jeremiah Gechell shops with Keaghen and his father, Chad Broskin of Brockport.

Deputy Kyle Tower joins Gechell, Chad, and Keaghen.

Mercy Flight is receiving a $3,043,000 federal loan to purchase a new helicopter that will be modified for medical service operations and stationed at the Genesee County Airport in Batavia, the USDA announced this week.

Mercy Flight has not been able to station a helicopter in Batavia since a fatal crash in Elba in April.  The crash of the Bell 429 helicopter claimed the lives of pilot James E. Sauer, 60, of Churchville, and Stewart M. Dietrick, 60, of Prosper, Texas.

From the press from the U.S. Department of Agriculture announcing several funding initiatives in Upstate New York:

USDA Rural Development New York State Director Brian Murray announced investments totaling more than $46 million across 10 projects throughout the state to expand market opportunities for rural businesses and enterprises. This is part of a national announcement where U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Department is investing $981 million to help create new and better market opportunities and expand essential services for rural people, businesses and entrepreneurs in 47 states, Guam and the Virgin Islands.

“Rural people provide the everyday essentials our country depends on,” Murray said. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is dedicated to helping people through job creation and expansion of entrepreneurial opportunities in the rural places they live. The partnerships we’re announcing today demonstrate USDA’s commitment to advocating for rural business owners and building brighter futures for residents and stakeholders in rural New York and throughout America.”

The funding will help keep resources and wealth made by rural people right at home through affordable financing and technical assistance. It will help rural Americans start businesses and allow small business owners to grow. It will also open the door to new economic opportunities for communities and people who historically have lacked access to critical resources and financing.  

Photo: File photo by Howard Owens of the Bell helicopter that crashed taken a few days prior to the accident during an emergency medical response in Batavia.

Santa and Mrs. Claus dropped in at 150 State St., Batavia, on Friday evening to hear from all the good boys and girls hoping for the best presents ever under their Christmas trees this year.

Angelina Pellegrino will host Santa again on Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m.

She said there are 60 Christmas trees on her property this year.

Photo by Howard Owens.  With Santa, Prince and YeeYee Viera.

Country music recording artist Claudia Hoyser, pictured left above with WBTA's Nici "Noir" Johnson, was at Mr. Wine & Liquor in Batavia on Friday evening to promote her coffee-whiskey blend, Drunken Bean Whiskey, during a special event at the store that included tastings of a variety of wine and spirits.

WBTA was on site for a live broadcast during the event.

Hoyser released a music video three months ago that was partially filmed at farms in Genesee County.

Photos by Howard Owens

City Fire, WBTA, Ken Barrett Chevrolet and Cadillac, along with the Salvation Army, teamed up again for their annual toy drive to benefit families in Genesee County who may not have the financial means to meet all of their kids' Christmas dreams.

Photo: Ryan Whitcombe, Nathan Kinne, Nici Johnson, Ken Barrett, and Todd Rapp. Photo by Howard Owens

Richard Ellingham won the "People's Choice Award" at the opening reception on Thusday for the Batavia Society of Artists annual Winter Show at the Richmond Memorial Library.

The show runs through Dec. 28.

Photos by Howard Owens

The big advantage of the new location of Licata Chiropractic at 542 East Main St. in Batavia, said owner Sandra Licata, is that she owns the real estate.

After years of renting, Licata was able to purchase the property in early 2020, just before the pandemic started. She was able to do business but held off on a grand opening until this week when she hosted the Chamber of Commerce for a Business After Hours and a ribbon-cutting.

With ownership comes her own parking lot.

"Where I was renting (off Court Street), we had the city parking lot," Licata said. "You didn't always know what space you're gonna get and here we have15 parking spaces. There's enough for staff, for clients, for Mike Grasso, and for my patients."

Mike Grasso is the massage therapist Licata has been working with for 21 years, a unique partnership in the chiropractic practice.

"Usually, I hear from colleagues that those relationships don't last that long," Licata said. "Usually, there's kind of a rotating door."

Licata said she's excited to have her own place where she has more control over the building and the grounds.

"We've updated the landscaping this year," Licata said. "We've updated the parking lot to add more lighting. It's nice to have my own place to do those things."

Photo by Howard Owens

In the summer of 2018, retired school teacher David Reilly got inspired to write a story about growing up in Batavia, about going to the circus, and he sent it off to Billie Owens, then the editor of The Batavian, and asked if the online news site would be interested in publishing his little piece.

Captivated by the nostalgia, Owens thought it was just the sort of thing readers of The Batavian would enjoy, and she was right.

Reilly went on to write two dozen stories in his humous style about growing up in Batavia in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.  He's collected them in a book for friends and family but has also made the book available for $10 (his cost) at the Holland Land Office Museum.

"I want to compliment your wife, Billie, who read one of my articles and inspired me to keep writing," Reilly said during a visit with The Batavian on Thursday. "My mom always tried to convince me I was a good writer, and I didn't really believe it. But once I started publishing the stories, which you did for me, and with Billie's help with editing and encouraging, it just made all these memories from when I was a kid come out, and it was enjoyable for me to go back and remember all the fun and crazy and wild things I did when I was a kid in Batavia."

Reilly said he is planning a couple of more stories about his life in Batavia in the coming months that will be published in The Batavian.

Photo by Howard Owens.

Oakfield-Alabama beat Alexander at home on Wednesday night in Boys Basketball, 56-39.

Kyle Porter scored 19 points for the Hornets, Brenden Wescott, 10, and Noah Currier, seven.

For the Trojans, T. Woods scored nine and D. Pohl, eight.

Photos by Kristin Smith.