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Stafford

Law and Order: Multi-agency, months long investigation yields three suspects in mobile device fraud

By Howard B. Owens
jerome ware
Jerome E. Ware

Jerome E. Ware, 59, of New Rochelle, is charged with two counts of identity theft 1st and grand larceny third. Joel A. Rojas Perallon, 20, and Raul DeLeon DeLeon, 30, both of New York City, were charged with identity theft 1st, grand larceny 3rd, and scheme to defraud 1st. Ware's arrest came after a report on April 8, 2022, in Wyoming County, of a person misrepresenting himself as a Verizon Wireless employee. The person obtained account and credit card info and subsequently made purchases of four iPhone 13 Pro Max smartphones and had them delivered to an address in Mount Vernon. The total value of the phones was $5,599.96.  

rojas perallon
Joel A. Rojas Perallon

Ware was arrested on Sept. 26, 2022. Ware's release status was not provided. Following Ware's arrest, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office contacted Wyoming County concerning a similar case. Ware was identified as a suspect in the Genesee County case, and Perallon and DeLeon were also identified as suspects, following months of an ongoing joint investigation. DeLeon was also identified as a suspect, arrested in June, in an armed robbery of a delivery driver in Illinois. Warrants were issued for the arrests of Perallon and DeLeon. Perallon was arrested at his home in New York City on Aug. 10. DeLeon turned himself in to Wyoming County deputies on Aug. 23.  

deleon
Raul DeLeon DeLeon

Both were arraigned and released in accordance with New York bail laws. Assisting with the investigation were NYPD, Homeland Security, and FedEx security. 

Noemi Morales, 23, of Briant Avenue, Syracuse, is charged with grand larceny 3rd and conspiracy 5th. Morales is accused of stealing $8,000 in high-end fragrances from Ulta on Veterans Memorial Drive at 6:20 on April 4. She was arrested on Aug. 22 by Investigator Ryan DeLong.  

Jamie Aaron Dutton, 31, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with tampering with physical evidence, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, and obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Dutton was arrested at 8:05 p.m. on Aug. 25 on Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, in a joint enforcement action by Batavia PD's Net Enforcement Team and the Sheriff's Office on a warrant issued by NYS Parole. It is alleged that Dutton fled from police on a bicycle and hid under the back deck of a residence. He allegedly attempted to discard narcotics in an attempt to conceal his possession of the drugs. Dutton was issued an appearance ticket and released.

heather holbrook
Heather N. Holbrook

Heather N. Holbrook, 38, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Holbrook was allegedly found in possession of a small amount of crack cocaine on July 18 at an undisclosed location in Batavia. When Officers located and arrested her on Aug. 16, she was allegedly found in possession of a large quantity of crack cocaine. She was arraigned in  City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail on $10,000 cash bail, $20,000 bond, and $50,000 partially secured bond.

Austin RJ O’Connell, 19, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, criminal trespass 2nd, and criminal mischief 4th. O’Connell was arrested on Aug. 21 following an investigation into a burglary that occurred on Feb. 23. It’s alleged that O’Connell disabled a security camera, entered an apartment on Bank Street and stole property. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Adrienne S. Bechtold, 27, and Ronald J. Murray. 28, both of Batavia, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd. Bechtold and Murray were arrested after Genesee County Probation located drugs and drug paraphernalia during a home visit. Batavia Police Officers were then called to assist probation and process the arrests. Bechtold and Murray were each issued appearance tickets.

Terrance H. Riley, 35, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant issued by City Court. Riley was initially arrested on Oct. 19, 2014, on a charge of harassment 2nd and resisting arrest. Riley allegedly failed to appear in court, and a warrant was issued. He was arraigned in  City Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Sean M. Conway, 46, of Pembroke, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 3rd and uninspected motor vehicle. Conway was arrested on Aug. 9 following a traffic stop by a Batavia patrol officer on Washington Avenue. He was allegedly found in possession of an expandable baton. He was arraigned and released. 

Brian M. Raphael, 35, of Batavia, is charged with trespassing. Raphael was located inside Aldi on East Main Street on Aug. 16 after previously being barred from the store due to prior alleged shoplifting incidents. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Crystal M. Bouter, 34, of Batavia, was arrested on an arrest warrant issued by City Court. Bouter was initially arrested on July 6 and charged with criminal mischief 4th after allegedly damaging another person’s cellphone. She was issued an appearance ticket. A warrant was issued after she failed to appear in court. Bouter was located on Aug. 16 while officers were investigating a separate incident. Bouter was arraigned and released.

Kyle J. Stack, no age provided, no residence provided, is charged with criminal trespass 3rd and failure to keep right (bicycle). Stack was arrested on Aug. 16 after officers attempted to stop him for riding a bicycle southbound in the northbound lane on South Spruce Street in Batavia. Stack allegedly fled on foot but was located a short distance away in a backyard. He was issued appearance tickets.

Ashton L. Mohney, 33, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd and criminal obstruction of breathing. Officers were called to an address on Ross Street, Batavia, for the report of a physical disturbance. It's alleged that Mohney grabbed the victim by the neck and punched her in the head. He was arraigned in City Court and released. 

Ricky L. Miller, 41, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant issued by City Court. Miller was initially arrested on May 24 and charged with petit larceny for allegedly stealing merchandise from Tops. He was issued an appearance ticket. A warrant was issued after he failed to appear in court. Miller was arraigned on the warrant in City Court and released. 

Frank R. Cratsenberg, 63, no residence provided, was arrested on Aug. 16 on a warrant issued by City Court. Cratsenberg was arrested on June 6 for an alleged theft from Kwik Fill on Jackson Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket. A warrant was issued on July 18 after he failed to appear in court. Cratsenberg was arraigned on the warrant in City Court and released.

Ryan M. Arner, 37, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Arner was charged after an investigation into a fight that occurred at an address on State Street on Aug. 15. It's alleged that Arner pushed and headbutted another person. Arner was issued an appearance ticket.

Aaron R. Hatfield, 38, of Lockport, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Hatfield is accused of stealing merchandise from Tops on Aug. 14. During his arrest, Hatfield was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Myron D. Dupler, 76, of Batavia, is charged with public lewdness. It’s alleged that Dupler exposed himself on Aug. 14 while in the area of Austin Park. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Kelli E. Wallace, 60, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. It's alleged that on Aug. 13 Wallace stole merchandise from Tops. She was issued an appearance ticket.

James L. Brown, 40, of Albion, is charged with petit larceny. Brown was charged after allegedly stealing merchandise on Aug. 11 from 7-Eleven in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Paul Lee, 51, of Rochester, is charged with criminal trespass 3rd. Lee was arrested after he was allegedly found sleeping on Aug. 8 in a vacant house on Ellicott Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Joanna F. Larnder, 30, of Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant issued by City Court. Larnder was initially charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 3rd on March 23 after a traffic stop on Margaret Place, Batavia.  She allegedly failed to appear in court and a warrant was issued on May 18. Larnder was arraigned and ordered to reappear at a later date.

Joshua J. Brower, 39, of Medina, is charged with DWI. Brower was arrested after a traffic stop on West Main Street on Aug. 12. He was issued traffic tickets.

Fawn M. Mobley, 51, of Oakfield, is charged with DWI. Mobley was arrested on Aug. 12 after officers located a vehicle driving on West Main Street, Batavia, with a flat tire. She was issued traffic tickets.

Andrew T. Williams, 20, of Jamestown, was arrested on a warrant issued by City Court. Williams was initially charged on April 22 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 3rd and operating with a suspended registration after a traffic stop on Cedar Street, Batavia. A warrant was issued after he allegedly failed to appear in court. Williams was arraigned in City Court and released. 

Ashton L. Mohney, 33, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd, criminal Contempt 1st, and criminal mischief 3rd. Mohney was arrested after an investigation into a disturbance on Ross Street on Aug. 19 where he allegedly damaged property and violated an order of protection. Mohney was arraigned and remanded to the Genesee County Jail on $1,000 cash bail, $2,000 bond, and $4,000 partially secured bond. 

Brian E. Daggar, 37, of Elba, was arrested on a warrant on Aug. 22. Daggar was initially charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 3rd. He was reportedly involved in a traffic accident in January 2023 in Batavia. The warrant was issued after he allegedly failed to appear in court. Daggar was arraigned and released and is due back in court at a later date.

Hunter M. Passage, 23, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass 2nd. It’s alleged that Passage entered a home on Washington Avenue on Aug. 22 without permission after offering to clean the house for the homeowner. Passage was issued an appearance ticket.

Lakeisha A. Gibson, 37, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant on Aug. 19. Gibson was initially arrested on May 15. She was accused of failing to appear to testify at Grand Jury after being served a subpoena. She was issued an appearance ticket. Gibson failed to appear in court, and a warrant was issued on July 19. She was arraigned and ordered to reappear at a later date.

Adam Troy Shipwash, 43, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with disobeying a mandate. The Sheriff's Office provided no explanation of the charge. Shipwarsh was arrested in connection with an incident reported noon on Aug. 10 in the Town of Byron. He was jailed pending arraignment.

Jeremy John Trzecienski, 46, of Hillside Drive, Pavilion, is charged with harassment 2nd and trespass. Trzecienski is accused of entering another person's property on South Lake Road, Pavilion, at about 7 p.m. on Aug. 23, and remaining there unlawfully while fighting with another person. He was arraigned and ordered to return to court at a later date.

Rachael Marie Brown, 45, of Bethany Center Road, Bethany, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs and following too close. Brown was reportedly involved in a traffic accident at 4:36 p.m. on June 21 on Telephone Road in Pavilion. Following an investigation by Deputy Zachary Hoy, Brown was arrested on Aug. 24 and issued traffic tickets.

Michael Ford Pfenninger, 21, of Genesee Street, Alden, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Pfenninger was arrested on Aug. 23 by Deputy Ryan Mullen in connection with an incident reported at 3:57 a.m. on July 17 on Route 20 in Darien. No details on the incident were released by the Sheriff's Office. Information was not released on whether he was arraigned or issued appearance tickets. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 12.

Koree Rose Stephenson, no age provided, no street address provided, of Rochester, is charged with introducing prison contraband and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Stephenson was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance while being booked into the jail at 1:50 a.m. on Aug. 27. She was held pending arraignment.

William James Flack, 50, of Sandpit Road, Alexander, is charged with harassment 2nd and criminal contempt 1st. Flack allegedly violated a "refrain from" order of protection by striking another person at 2:05 a.m. on Aug.27 at a location on Sandpit Road, Alexander. He was scheduled to appear in court of arraignment later on the day of his arrest.

Markeith Deandre Lenoir, 33, of Ruleville, Miss., is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and insufficient tailamps. Lenoir was stopped at 1:35 a.m. on Aug. 29, on West Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell. He was released on traffic tickets.

Matthew J. Zon, 42, of Warsaw, is charged with aggravated criminal contempt and aggravated family offense. Zon was arrested in the Town of Byron by State Police in connection an incident reported at 3:14 p.m. on Aug 29. He was ordered held in jail. No further information was released.

David C. Stephens, 58, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Stephens was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported in Stafford at 5:42 p.m. on Aug. 23. 

Amanda N. Holbrook, 36, of Bergen, is charged with DWI. Holbrook was stopped by State Police in the Town of Bergen at 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 23 and released on an appearance ticket.

Photo: Sunset in Stafford

By Howard B. Owens
sunset
Saturday's sunset from Route 237 and Griswold Road, Stafford.
Photo by Nick Serrata.

Power outage reported in Batavia, Stafford, Byron and Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

There are 2,133 National Grid customers without power in an area that stretches from the northeast quadrant of the City of Batavia to the Town of Le Roy on the east, and from north of Clinton Street Road in Bryon to Route 63 in East Bethany.

The power outage was reported at 6:23 and is expected to be resolved by 8:30 p.m.

UPDATE 7:18 p.m.: National Grid is on scene on Clinton STree Road but has not yet located the source of the outage.

Photos: Rainbows and sunset on Monday

By Howard B. Owens
rainbow
Rainbow on Sweetland Road in Stafford, submitted by Todd and Laura Englerth.

There were rainbows along with a pretty nice sunset in Genesee County for photographers to enjoy on Monday.

rainbow
Caitlin Napper sent in this photo of a rainbow in Le Roy.  If you look closely, you can see a bit of a double rainbow.
rainbow
Rainbow in Batavia, submitted by Tom Tharp.
Sunset
Sunset in Indian Falls, submitted by Joanne Meiser.

SUNY GCC announces spring 2023 provost's list

By Press Release

Press Release:

243 students from Genesee Community College named to Provost's List. Students honored on the Provost's List have maintained part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

  • Melanie Pohl of Alexander 
  • Phyllissa Mitzel of Alexander 
  • Ian Edmonds of Alexander
  • Alan Riggi of Alexander 
  • Kevin Neureuter of Batavia
  • Carrie Lathan of Batavia
  • Jill Kratz of Batavia 
  • Maranda Vanelli of Batavia
  • Michelle Witherow of Batavia 
  • Jennifer Kula of Batavia
  • Naomi Peck of Batavia 
  • Lauren Reimer of Batavia
  • Anthony Haitz of Batavia
  • Brandon Delaporte of Batavia
  • Amanda Woodrich of Batavia
  • Stephanie Gordon of Batavia
  • Shamiqua Hickman of Batavia
  • David Boyce of Batavia 
  • Kelly Smith of Batavia
  • Catherine Richardson of Batavia
  • Kingsley Antwi Darkwa of Batavia
  • Alexander Frank of Batavia
  • Seth Coburn of Batavia
  • James Pulliam of Batavia
  • Don Buckel of Batavia
  • Leah Buckel of Batavia
  • Katie Abaire of Batavia
  • Theresa Tesch of Batavia 
  • Elizabeth Rindell of Batavia 
  • Jessica Barone of Batavia 
  • Maia Hoffman-Miller of Batavia
  • Sara Smith of Batavia
  • Samantha Conibear of Batavia 
  • Mikhail Saxton of Corfu
  • Neve Tilley of Corfu 
  • Colton Tarbell of Corfu 
  • Raymond Vanelli of Corfu 
  • Autumn Korytkowski of Corfu
  • Trenton Woods of East Bethany 
  • Aidan McClurg of Elba
  • Elizabeth Verratti of Elba
  • Genevieve Roman of Oakfield
  • Cierra Tiede of Oakfield 
  • Melinda Osborn of Oakfield 
  • Jacob Cone of Stafford
  • Amara Condidorio of Le Roy
  • Matthew Bolton of Le Roy
  • Dylan Dziekan of Pavilion

At end of chase, suspects accused of possessing loaded 'ghost gun'

By Howard B. Owens
grayson mug
Sylvan P. Grayson

After a high-speed chase from Oakfield to Bergen, deputies say they recovered a loaded 9mm handgun with no identifying information on it from the vehicle two suspects ran from after it wouldn't go any further.

Taken into custody were Sylvan P. Grayson, 24, from Le Roy, and Luke A. Rose, 19, from Batavia. A juvenile backseat passenger did not flee from the vehicle and was detained at the scene without incident.

Grayson and Rose are accused of possessing a "ghost gun," which is an unserialized and untraceable firearm. 

The case began at 2:38 a.m. on Thursday on Batav ia Oakfield Townline Road and Route 63 when Deputy Jacob Kipler attempted a traffic stop on a 2013 blue Dodge Avenger for an alleged headlight violation.

rose mug
Luke A. Rose

The Avenger fled at speeds that reached 90 mph. The vehicle went off the road several times on Batavia Stafford Townline Road, and the Sheriff's Office reports that the Avenger "intentionally" drove through a crop field, causing extensive damage to the crops.

Spike strips were successfully deployed on Route 237 in the Town of Stafford, according to the report. The Avenger lost several tires but continued to drive on rims at high rates of speed.

The driver lost control of the vehicle in the area of Clinton Street Road and Apple Tree Avenue in Bergen.  It went off the road, struck a street sign and crashed into an earthen embankment. 

According to deputies, the driver and a front-seat passenger took off running, heading south toward businesses an Apple Tree.  The passenger was apprehended without further incident after a short foot pursuit and was later identified as Luke A. Rose.

The other suspect, Sylvan P. Grayson, was located behind a business on Apple Tree about an hour later and taken into custody without further incident.

During an inventory of the contents of the vehicle, before it was impounded, deputies allegedly found a loaded 9mm handgun with no serial number, make or model identification.

Grayson is charged with:

  • Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a Class C felony;
  • Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class D felony;
  • Criminal possession of a firearm (a "ghost gun"), a Class E felony;
  • Criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor;
  • Unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle;
  • Obstructing governmental administration;
  • And 16 traffic tickets.

Rose is charged with:

  • Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a Class C felony;
  • Criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree (a "ghost gun"), a Class A misdemeanor;
  • And criminal possession of a firearm, a Class E felony.

Both Grayson and Rose were arraigned and ordered held on bail.

The Sheriff's Office did not release whether there were charges against the juvenile in the backseat.

Sweetland Road in Stafford temporarily closed

By Barbara Radley

Sweetland Road, between Roanoke Road and east to Bater Road is temporarily closed.

The closure starts at 7 a.m. on July 17 and ends at 4 p.m. on July 20. The road will open each day 4 p.m. until 7 a.m. the next day.

Expect traffic delays and/or possible road closure.

The work is weather dependent and may be delayed by a day if inclement weather occurs.

If there are any questions concerning this work, please contact The Town of Stafford Highway Department at 585-344-1554 ext. 201.

Grand Jury Report: Man accused of driving drunk with children in the vehicle

By Howard B. Owens

Zachary D. Leitten is indicted on three counts of aggravated DWI, a Class E felony,  DWI, a Class E felony, DWI, as a misdemeanor, and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, a misdemeanor. Leitten is accused of driving drunk with children less than 15 years old in the car on Jan. 17 in the Village of Corfu. His BAC at the time of his arrest was allegedly .08.

Kent L. Handy, Jr., is indicted on a count of DWI, a Class E felony. Handy is accused of driving drunk on Jan. 28 in the Town of Stafford while on the Thruway. The indictment alleges that Handy was previously convicted of DWI on Sept. 8, 2015, in the City of Rochester.

Ryan J. Wanike is indicted on counts of DWI, a Class D felony, and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, a Class D felony. Wanike is accused of driving drunk on Nov. 28 on Clinton Street Road in the Town of Stafford. His BAC was allegedly .08.  The indictment alleges that he had a prior DWI conviction on Sept. 24, 2015, in the Town of Gates.

Sarah L. Elmore is indicted on counts of aggravated DWI, a Class E felony, and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, a Class E. felony. Elmore is accused of driving with a BAC 0f .08 or greater with a child less than 15 years old in the vehicle on Sept. 10 in the Town of Bethany on Molasses Hill Road.

Joseph C. Jeffords is indicted on counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, a Class E felony, and petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor. Jeffords is accused of falsifying a bill of sale at Pawn King on Dec. 10 in order to conceal a theft from Dick's Sporting Goods.

Parker E. Payton is indicted on counts of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, DWI, a Class E felony, and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, a Class E felony. Payton is accused of driving drunk while on a revoked license on Dec. 31 on South Street in the Village of Le Roy.

Dale W. Skaters, Jr., is indicted on one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree. Skates is accused of stealing property valued at more than $1,000 while at The Home Depot on Nov. 16.

Chad W. Main is indicted on counts of driving while ability impaired by drugs, a Class E felony, aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, a Class D felony, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor.  Main is accused of driving while impaired by drugs on Parmalee Road in the Town of Le Roy on Dec. 2 while his license was revoked. He is accused of possessing more than 500 milligrams of cocaine and of possessing methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that Main had his driving privileges revoked on April 27, 2017.

Isaac D. Abrams is indicted on one count of robbery in the second degree, a Class C violent felony. Abrams is accused of using force on March 10 to steal money and a safe from a dispensary on Poodry Road in the Town of Alabama.

Matthew M. Keiffer is indicted on counts of burglary in the third degree, a Class D felony, two counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a Class E felony, and criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class E felony. Kieffer is accused of breaking into a business in the Town of Pembroke on March 16, causing damage to the building, with the intent to commit a crime, and of stealing two credit cards.

Anthony F. Armstrong, Jr., is indicted on counts of burglary in the first degree, a Class B violent felony, unlawful imprisonment in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class D felony, menacing in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor, and three counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor. Armstrong is accused of entering an apartment on Walnut Street, City of Batavia, on March 20, with the intent to commit a crime within, and of using a serrated blade knife to threaten another person and of unlawfully restraining that person. He is also accused of causing physical damage to the property.

Law and Order: warrant suspect accused of resisting arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Jacob William Patterson, 27, of Killian Road, Pembroke, is charged with destroying physical evidence, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration. Deputy Jeremiah Gechell and Deputy Alexander Hadsall conducted a traffic stop on Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, at 1:41 a.m. on June 21. During the traffic stop, deputies identified Patterson as a backseat passenger. The deputies were aware of warrants for the arrest of Patterson. While attempting to take Patterson into custody, Patterson allegedly resisted arrest and fought with the deputies. Once he was taken into custody, a further investigation with the assistance of Deputy James Stack and K-9 Razor, a controlled substance was allegedly recovered from the vehicle. Patterson had allegedly tried to destroy the controlled substance just prior to his arrest. Patterson was held pending arraignment.

Jacob W. Patterson, 27, of Killian Road, Pembroke, was arrested on a warrant out of City Court. The warrant stems from an incident on April 24 where Patterson was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, obstructing governmental administration 2nd and four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. During that incident, Patterson allegedly ran from and fought with officers as they attempted to take him into custody. He was issued an appearance ticket. On May 10, a warrant was issued after Patterson failed to appear in court. Patterson was located on a traffic stop and arrested on the warrant on June 21. He was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. The arrest was handled by Officer Richard Messmer.

Gerald Lawrence Smith, 37, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance (degree not specified), moving from lane unsafely, speed not reasonable and prudent, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia.  Smith was reportedly involved in a motor vehicle accident at 10:18 p.m. on June 25 on Byron Road, Stafford. According to an investigation by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush and Deputy Nicholas Charmoun, Smith's vehicle went off the roadway and into a wooded area. Following the accident, Smith was allegedly found in possession of cocaine, scales, and baggies for packaging. Smith was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Nekia Drio Newton, 47, of Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, signal less than 100 feet, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 3rd. Newton was stopped by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell at 11:49 p.m. on June 28 on West Main Street in the City of Batavia. During the stop, Newton allegedly admitted to possession of a controlled substance.  Newton was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Nicholas C. Kingdollar, 27, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant stemming from charges of criminal mischief 4th and harassment 2nd. Kingdollar is accused of being involved in a disturbance on April 15 at an undisclosed location in Batavia, where he allegedly damaged property and pushed another person. Officers were unable to locate him, and a warrant was issued. On June 22, Kingdollar was located and arrested. He was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance pending his next court appearance.

Jaqulyn A. Dueppengiesser, 39, of Perry, was arrested on June 22 on a pair of warrants out of City Court. The first warrant stems from an investigation on April 20 where Dueppengiesser was initially arrested for petit larceny, after allegedly stealing merchandise from a local business. She was issued an appearance ticket and was to appear in Batavia City Court at a later date. Dueppengiesser allegedly failed to appear, and an arrest warrant was issued. She was arrested on the warrant on May 24 and arraigned in City Court, where she was released on her own recognizance. She allegedly failed to appear again, and a bench warrant was issued on June 15. On June 22, Dueppengiesser was arrested on that warrant and arraigned in City Court. The second warrant initially stems from a traffic stop on Feb. 19, where Dueppengiesser was allegedly found to be in possession of a narcotic. She was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th. She was arraigned and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice. On May 1, a bench warrant was issued after Dueppengiesser allegedly failed to comply with a court-ordered program. She was arrested on that warrant on May 24 and released on her own recognizance. Another bench warrant was issued on June 15 after she allegedly failed to appear in court. She was arrested on that warrant on June 22. Dueppengiesser was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. The arrests were handled by Officer Andrew Mruczek.

Andrew D. Beedham, 37, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. The arrest is the result of an investigation into a disturbance where Beedham allegedly hit another person. During his arrest, Beedham was allegedly found to be in possession of a narcotic. He was charged with an additional count of criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Beedham was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Jennifer J. Hogan, 32, of Rochester, is charged with two counts of bail jumping 3rd and one count of bail jumping 2nd. Hogan was arrested on June 27. She was already in custody at the Genesee County Jail after a previous arrest on June 15 on three bench warrants. The bail-jumping charges stem from those three cases. She was arraigned in City Court and remanded to jail.

Breanna E. Brummond, 32, was arrested on two bench warrants. Brummond was arrested on June 27 on warrants out of City Court. The warrants stem from two separate incidents on Feb. 3 where Brummond was charged with petit larceny and criminal trespass 3rd. Brummond was issued appearance tickets in both cases and released. She allegedly failed to appear, and two warrants were issued on Feb. 14. Brummond was arrested on both warrants on April 5. She was arraigned and released. April 20, warrants were issued again after she allegedly failed to appear. Brummond was arrested on those warrants on June 27 and arraigned. She was remanded to the custody of the Genesee County Jail and is due back in court at a later date. The arrest was handled by Officer Kevin Defelice. Brummond was also arrested by the Sheriff's Office and charged with bail jumping 2nd. She is accused of failure to appear in City Court.

Shameek T. Taylor, 36, of Bergen, is charged with criminal obstruction of Breathing. Taylor was arrested on June 27, after an investigation into a disturbance on West Main Street. Taylor allegedly placed his hand around the neck of another person and applied pressure, causing their breathing to be obstructed. Taylor was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to appear back in court at a later date. 

Bill A. Thomas, 63, of Batavia, is charged with open container. Thomas was allegedly found to be in possession of an open alcoholic beverage container on June 21 in a local park. He was issued an appearance ticket and released. 

Billy Joe Budziszewski, 31, of Varysburg, was taken into custody on an arrest warrant issued in City Court. The warrant is the result of an incident on Jan. 1 where Budziszewski allegedly refused to leave a local business. He was charged with trespassing and allegedly fought with officers when they attempted to take him into custody. He was issued an appearance ticket and released. Budziszewski allegedly failed to appear, and a warrant was issued on Jan. 24. He was arrested on the warrant on June 24. 

Dustin T. Forkell, 32, of Ogden, was arrested on two bench warrants. Forkell was taken into custody on June 24. The warrants stem from an incident that led to a charge of criminal possession of stolen property 4th after he was allegedly found in possession of a stolen vehicle. He was additionally charged with false impersonation and petit larceny after he allegedly stole merchandise from a local business and lied to officers about his identity. Forkell was arraigned and ordered to return to court at a later date. 

Brittanee J. Hooten, 34, of Batavia, was taken into custody on an arrest warrant issued by City Court.  Hooten was arrested on June 22. Hooten was originally charged with petit larceny on Sept. 17 after allegedly stealing merchandise from a local business. Hooten was released on an appearance ticket. A warrant was issued on Oct. 20 after Hooten allegedly failed to appear in court. Following her June 22 arrest, Hooten was arraigned and remanded to the Genesee County Jail on $100 cash bail and $200 surety bond. 

Kenyetta D. Culver, 47, of Batavia, was taken into custody on an arrest warrant on June 23. Culver turned herself into Batavia PD on a warrant issued by City Court. The warrant is the result of a traffic stop on Feb. 12 where Culver was issued a misdemeanor traffic ticket for operating a vehicle with a suspended registration. The warrant was issued on June 14 after Culver allegedly failed to appear in court. She was arraigned in City Court, where she pled guilty and was assessed a fine. 

William Avant Lewis, 37, of Riley Street, Buffalo, is charged with bail jumping (degree not specified). Lewis is accused of failure to appear in Batavia Town Court. He was held pending arraignment. 

Dontaya Nell Kyles, 31, of Jessamine Street, Macon, Ga., is charged with bail jumping 2nd. Kyles is accused of failure to appear in Town of Batavia Court on a grand larceny 3rd charge and then failing to appear on her reappearance date. She was arrested and ordered held on $10,000 bail.

Amber Lynne Westenberger, 32, of Loomis Road, Farmington, is charged with bail jumping 2nd. Westenberger was held pending arraignment.

Cain Alexander Catino, 51, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny 4th. Cantino is accused of stealing a wallet while at Batavia Downs on June 25 at 10:30 p.m. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Lester Shakayla Ebony Deas, 25, of Affinity Lane, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Deas is accused of stealing from an undisclosed location (the Sheriff's Office withheld the information) on Veterans Memorial Drive in the Town of Batavia at 6:27 p.m. on June 27. Deas was issued an appearance ticket. UPDATE: The Batavian submitted a FOIL request for the name of the store. It is Old Navy.

Pablo Viera, 44, no known address, is charged with criminal mischief 4th and criminal possession of a weapon 4th. Viera is accused of using a wooden tire knocker to strike the side of a Kenworth semi-truck multiple times, causing dents in the side door at 7:35 p.m. on June 25. Viera was released on an appearance ticket.

Joseph Gerard Eyer, 75, of Cowen Road, Piffard, is charged with grand larceny 4th. Eyer is accused of stealing a purse that contained a mobile phone and multiple credit cards at 5:15 p.m. on June 23 while at Target. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Mark Louis Frongetta, 53, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 3rd and menacing 2nd. Frongetta is accused of threatening another person with a weapon making the person fear for his life at a location on Park Road at 8:44 p.m., July 1. Frongetta was held pending arraignment. 

Francis Jermey Fuest, 44, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and speeding. Fuest was stopped at 12:14 a.m. on May 25 on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Mason Schultz. Fuest was arraigned on the charges on July 1 and released on an appearance ticket.

Maurice Richard McCoy, 70, of North Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. McCoy was stopped by Deputy Zachary Hoy in the parking lot of Walmart at 8:38 p.m. on July 2. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Andrew Scott Hartman, 40, of Route 78, Java Center, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 greater, and inadequate headlamps. Hartman was stopped at 12:13 a.m. on July 2 on Clinton Street Road, Stafford, by Deputy Ryan Mullen. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Austin F. Buzard, 25, no known address, is charged with assault 2nd and aggravated criminal contempt. Buzard was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 8:30 p.m. on July 3 in the Town of Stafford. He was held in custody. No further details released.

Andrew R. Bastiano, 36, of Batavia, is charged with felony DWI. Bastiano was stopped at 12:39 a.m. on July 3 in the Town of Elba by State police. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Paula A. Kingdollar, 54, of Pavilion, is charged with petit larceny. Kingdollar is accused of stealing in the Town of Batavia at 1:33 p.m. on June 2. She was arrested by State Police and released on an appearance ticket. No further details released. 

A 17-year-old was arrested by State Police and charged with petit larceny in connection with a theft reported at 5:17 p.m. on July 2 in the Town of Darien. The youth was released on an appearance ticket.

Rudy Lebron Cartagena, 33, of Niagara Falls, is charged with felony DWI. Cartagena was stopped at 5:25 a.m. on June 30 in the Town of Alabama by State Police. He was released on an appearance ticket.

23 students named RIT dean's list

By Press Release

Press Release:

The following students were named to the Dean's List at Rochester Institute of Technology for the spring semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. Full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for Dean's List if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.40; they do not have any grades of "Incomplete", "D" or "F"; and they have registered for, and completed at least 12 credit hours.

Jake Humes of Batavia, who is in the applied arts and sciences program.

Tori Russell of Pavilion, who is in the biotechnology and molecular bioscience program.

Jake Long of Batavia, who is in the civil engineering technology program.

Lexi Begin of Corfu, who is in the communication program.

Zach Wagner of Batavia, who is in the computer engineering program.

Tanner Richardson of Batavia, who is in the electrical engineering program.

Emily Eckdahl of Stafford, who is in the environmental sustainability, health and safety program.

Megan Johnson of Oakfield, who is in the finance program.

Megan Conibear of Corfu, who is in the global business management program.

Amelia Beckman of Batavia, who is in the illustration program.

Xishun Miller-Williams of Batavia, who is in the industrial engineering program.

Sophia Zwolinski of Corfu, who is in the mechanical engineering program.

Austin Hunt of Batavia, who is in the mechanical engineering technology program.

Timothy Bessel of Le Roy, who is in the mechanical engineering technology program.

Ella Llewellyn of Batavia, who is in the medical illustration program.

Fanny Venegas of Elba, who is in the photographic and imaging arts program.

Megan Watson of Le Roy, who is in the photographic sciences program.

Madison Maniace of Pavilion, who is in the physician assistant program.

Maddi Howard of Elba, who is in the psychology program.

Cambria Kinkelaar of Bergen, who is in the public policy program.

Robert Lin of Batavia, who is in the robotics and manufacturing engineering technology program.

Isaac Ladley of Byron, who is in the supply chain management program.

Chase Roth of Alexander, who is in the web and mobile computing program.

Accident reported at Buckley and Prentice, Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

A two-vehicle accident is reported at Buckley Road and Prentice Road, Stafford, with possible injuries and possible entrapment.

Stafford Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 4:54 p.m.: The caller is "a little out of it."  She couldn't get her seatbelt off or her door open. She's unsure if she's injured.

UPDATE 4:55 p.m.: Law enforcement is stating not blocking, no entrapment, no injuries.

UPDATE 5:03 p.m.: Mercy EMS is back in service.

Law and Order: Le Roy man accused of holding person against that person's will in moving car

By Howard B. Owens

Johnny Burton Koonce, Jr., 32, of Conlon Road, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful imprisonment 1st and harassment 2nd. Koonce is accused of refusing to let a person out of a moving vehicle and of shoving the person's head into the door of the vehicle during an incident reported at 11:23 p.m. on June 11 on Route 20 in Pavilion. Koonce was held pending arraignment.

Justin T. Calmes, 45, of Watson Street, Batavia, is charged with open burning.  Calmes is accused of violating the Batavia Municipal Code on May 26 by conducting an open burn at a residence on Watson Street. Calmes, according to police, had been previously advised of city code regarding open burns. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Ricky L. Miller, 41, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and harassment. Miller was charged after allegedly stealing $400 from Tops Market on West Main Street on May 24. He allegedly shoved the store manager when confronted in an attempt to flee.  Miller was issued an appearance ticket.

Brinson M. Blocker, 29, of Barry Street, Brockport, is charged with DWI and running a red light. Blocker was stopped at 2:29 a.m. on May 21 at an undisclosed location in the City of Batavia. He was arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Court.  His release status is unknown.

Charles B. Lee, 47, of West Bergen Road, Bergen, is charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs. Lee was stopped by Officer Kegvin Defelice on Sept 29 at an undisclosed location in the city of Batavia. He was arrested on May 26 following the completion of bloodwork in a crime lab.  He was issued traffic tickets and ordered to return to City Court on a later date.

Nathan W. Campbell, 42, no permanent address, is charged with trespass. Campbell is accused of returning to a business on East Main Street on May 31 a few hours after being banned from the location for reportedly causing a disturbance. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Matthew J. Wenzel, 36, of State Street,  Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Wenzel is accused of stealing medication from a family member. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Josia G.J. Culver, 18, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with attempted burglary 3rd and criminal mischief 3rd.  Culver is accused of attempting to break into a business in City Centre on May 15.  It was Culver's third arrest in May for allegedly attempting to break into the same business. Following the arrest, he was ordered held in the Genesee County Jail.

Adam B. Thomas, 34, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd. Thomas is accused of damaging family property at his residence on May 28. He was arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Court. His release status is unknown.

Richard A. Demmer, Jr., 30, no known address, is charged with attempted robbery 3rd. Demmer is accused of attempting to rob the 7-Eleven on May 29. He was released on his own recognizance. 

Jaqulyn A. Dueppengiesser, 39, of Page Road, Perry, was arrested on two warrants for failing to appear. Dueppengiesser was reportedly located in a dumpster on May 25 by Officer Felicia Martinez after receiving a call of a suspicious condition at a local business. The first warrant stems from a criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th charge, a Class D felony, arrest on April 11. On that arrest, Dueppengiesser was arraigned in City Court and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice pending her next appearance.  The second warrant stems from a petit larceny arrest on May 9. She was issued an appearance ticket.  She is accused of failure to appear for both arrests. Dueppengiesser was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance.  

Adam J. Montes, 39, no known address, was arrested on a bench warrant for failing to appear. Montes was taken into custody on May 31 by Officer Felicia Martinez. He was previously arrested on charges of grand larceny of a vehicle and conspiracy 5th. He was arrested on a failure to appear warrant on April 6 and released. He was arraigned in City Court on the May 31 arrest and ordered held without bail.

Rosemary R. Waters, 37, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on two City Court bench warrants for failure to appear. Officer Josh Girvin arrested Waters on May 17. The first warrant stems from an incident on Aug. 17, 2021, where Waters was arrested on an unrelated warrant and allegedly found in possession of narcotics, a modified fully automatic 9mm pistol and a 40-round magazine. Waters was arrested prior to the completion of lab work, and subsequently, an arrest warrant was issued. She was arrested on that warrant on April 7. The second warrant stems from an incident reported on July 30. Waters was reportedly the passenger in a vehicle during a traffic stop on Mix Place in Batavia. Waters allegedly provided a false name and was released. Narcotics and a modified short-barrel shotgun were later located in the vehicle. An arrest warrant was issued.

Oraid W. Edwards, 39, of West Avenue, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear. Edwards was taken into custody on May 19 by Officer Kevin Defelice. Edwards was arrested on June 19 after allegedly being found sleeping on the couch of a residence where he was unknown. Edwards reportedly left prior to patrols arriving on scene. He was arrested on a trespassing charge on June 23 and issued an appearance ticket. A warrant was issued on Aug. 23. He was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance.

Stephen D. Freeman, 52, of Mcmahon Road, Hinsdale, was arrested on an arrest warrant for petit larceny. Freeman was located by Troopers in Cattaraugus County and turned over to Batavia PD on May 28. Freeman is accused of stealing from an employer in City Centre on or around Sept. 19. He was arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Adam D. Altobelli, 42, of Mount Hope Boulevard, Rochester, was arrested on a bench warrant for failing to appear. Officer Richard Messmer arrested Altobelli on May 24. The warrant stems from an incident reported on East Main Street, Batavia, on Feb. 22, 2020. He was accused of stealing items and possessing a controlled substance. He was issued an appearance ticket. After allegedly failing to appear, he was arrested on a warrant on Dec. 4, 2020, and arraigned in City Court. He was released under supervision. He allegedly failed to appear for his next court appearance and was arrested on a warrant on May 6, 2021.  He was again arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on Aug. 30, 2021. On this arrested, he was arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Court. His release status is unknown.

Carlos E. Flores, of Dewey Avenue, Greece, was arrested on a bench warrant.  Officer Kevin DeFelice arrested Flores on May 25. The warrant stemmed from an incident on Aug. 11, 2019, at a location on Bank Street. Flores was accused of threatening another person. He was arrested on a harassment 2nd charge and issued an appearance ticket. He was arraigned in City Court on the latest arrest and released after entering a guilty plea.

Gregory Alan Palone, 60, of Tennesee, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and insufficient tail lamp. Palone was stopped at 1:27 a.m. on June 4 on Lewiston Road by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell. He was released on traffic tickets.

Kenneth Dwright Robinson, Jr., 49, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Robinson was stopped at 1:59 p.m. on June 4 by Deputy Jacob Kipler and allegedly found in possession of a glassine bag containing crack cocaine during a vehicle inventory. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Emily Nichols, 33, of Batavia, is charged with welfare fraud 3rd. Nichols was arrested following an investigation by the Department of Social Services. She is accused of failing to report the wages of her husband and receiving $7,885 in SNAP benefits for which she was not entitled. She was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and released on her own recognizance.

David Alan Leach, 29, of Morganville Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Leach is accused of possessing cocaine during a traffic stop by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun at 8:40 p.m. on Oct. 25.  Leach was arrested on June 11 and issued an appearance ticket.

Photos: Clear Spring Friday evening in Stafford

By Howard B. Owens
Barn morganville

To help a friend with a project, I needed to head out to Morganville in Stafford to take some landscape photos, and Friday evening seemed like perfect weather for such an excursion.  I also stopped by the Stafford Country Club.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Morganville Stafford
Morganville Stafford
Morganville Stafford
Morganville Stafford
Morganville Stafford
Morganville Stafford
Morganville Stafford stafford country club

Law and Order: Webster man accused of stealing car stopped at local gas station

By Howard B. Owens
micheal loveless
Michael Loveless

Michael E. Loveless, 59, of Imperial Drive, Webster, is charged with grand larceny 4th and unauthorized use of a vehicle 3rd.  Loveless is accused of stealing a gar that was stopped at a gas station in the City of Batavia on May 10 while the owner of the vehicle was inside the store. The vehicle was tracked using a GPS system and located in Lockport. Loveless was allegedly occupying the vehicle when it was located. He was taken into custody by Lockport PD and turned over to Batavia PD.  He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held until his next court appearance. 

Jessica L. Holtz, 39, of Austin Street, Rochester, was arrested on two  City Court bench warrants. The first bench warrant stems from a petit larceny charge at a local convenience store on Nov. 18, 2021.  Holtz was originally arrested on Nov. 27, 2021.  She was issued an appearance ticket.  She was arrested again on Feb 2, 2022, after she allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered. She was arraigned and released. She was arrested gain on May 1, 2022.  She was arraigned and released. She was arrested on Jan. 29.  She was arrested on March 11.  She was then arrested again on May 2 by Officer Megan Crosset and arraigned in City Court. On the second warrant, Holtz was arrested on Nov. 27, 2021, on a petit larceny charge for an alleged theft from a local church. She was arrested again on May 1, and again on Jan. 29, again on March 11, and on May 2.  She was arraigned in City Court. She was ordered to pay 79 cents in restitution and jailed for two months.

Josia G. J. Culver, 18, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd. Culver is accused of damaging an ATM screen at a bank location on Bank Street, Batavia, on May 5. He was arraigned and ordered held without bail pending his next court appearance. 

Alisha A Soule, 26, of Route 237, Stafford, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Soule turned herself in to Batavia PD after being accused of contacting a person through a third party in violation of an order of protection. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Ashley Davis, 34, of Walden Creek Drive, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. While in custody, Davis allegedly kicked a police officer. Davis was issued an appearance ticket.

Corey A Brown, 37, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Brown is accused of hitting another person in the face at a residence on Ellicott Street on May 10. He was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance.

William H Smith Jr., 45, of Bank Street, Batavia, was arrested on a City Court bench warrant. Smith was originally arrested for DWI and other charges on Feb. 7, 2021, and released with traffic tickets.  Smith is accused of failure to appear on the charges and was warranted on a warrant on Nov. 14, 2021.  He was released and ordered to reappear at a later date. He allegedly failed to show up for court, and another warrant was issued. He was arrested on that warrant on May 10 by Officer Kevin Defelice. Smith was arraigned in  City Court and released under supervision.

Krista S. Kiblin, 32, of Mason Avenue, Rochester, was arrested on a City Court bench warrant. Kiblin was originally arrested on Jan. 27 on a charge of petit larceny after she allegedly stole merchandise from a business on East Main Street.  Kiblin was issued an appearance ticket.  After she allegedly failed to appear as ordered, a warrant was issued, and she was arrested on that warrant on May 3 by Officer Richard Messmer. Kiblin was arraigned. Her release status is unknown.

Le Roy man in 'shots fired' case sent to prison for 10 years on multiple criminal charges

By Howard B. Owens
brownkilroymug20121.jpg
Arthur Brown

Before sending him to prison for 10 years, Judge Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini wondered at the criminal history of Arthur Brown, 45, of Le Roy, whom she observed is clearly intelligent, is well-spoken, and knows to advocate for himself.

Why, she wondered, why he keeps engaging in criminal activity when Brown could do so much more with his life.

Brown was sentenced on three separate criminal cases, the most notorious, an incident in September 2021 when he fled from a traffic stop after being seen driving erratically on Route 33 through Bergen and Stafford.  Brown ran into a cornfield, and Deputy Kevin Quackenbush started a foot pursuit but stopped when he apparently saw Brown pull a handgun from his waistband.  Quackenbush retreated, and then there was a loud bang.

Quackenbush reported to dispatch, "shots fired." This was the start of a several-hour, multi-department manhunt that eventually led to the arrest of Brown and the recovery of a handgun.  The loud bangs turned out to be from a wildlife scare cannon.

Brown has consistently maintained that the gun officers found was not his, and on Friday, he accused of Quckenbush of not telling the whole truth about the incident, such as, he said, Brown's DNA wasn't on the gun nor were his fingerprints.

ADA Joseph Robinson noted after Brown's statement that the gun wasn't checked for fingerprints.

shots fired
Deputy Kenneth Quckenbush taking position behind his patrol vehicle after bangs were heard in a farm field on Clinton Street Road, Stafford, on Sept. 19, 2021. A suspect had run into the field and apparently displayed a firearm before the bang was heard.  The bangs turned out to a wildlife scare cannon.
File photo by Howard Owens.

After initially indicating he intended to take the charges against him to a jury, in February, he entered guilty pleas to multiple charges, including second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon, a Class D violent offense, third-degree attempted criminal possession of a narcotic drug with intent to sell, a Class B felony, in connection with an arrest in January of this year in the City of Batavia, and to one count of violating the Sex Offender Registration Act, a Class E felony, for failing to register as a sex offender upon a change of address.

In arguing for the maximum possible sentence against Brown (the 10 years Cianfrini eventually imposed), Robinson said that Brown's long criminal history and habit of saying things that attempt to explain away or minimize his criminal activity made him a danger to society.

Robinson listed Brown's past criminal activity:

  • In 1994, Brown was adjudicated a youthful offender in a criminal case and violated probation within a year.
  • In 1995, he was sentenced to a year in jail.
  • In 1998, he was sentenced to seven years in prison on a robbery 2nd conviction.
  • In 2005, he was convicted of rape 3rd and sentenced to 18 months to three years in prison.
  • In 2010 he as conflicted of criminal sale of a controlled substance 4th and sentenced to two years in prison.
  • In 2015, he was convicted of two sexual offender registration violations.
  • In was released from prison on that conviction in 2021 one, just weeks before the incident on Clinton Street Road.

The plea Brown accepted, Robinson said, satisfied not only the pending charges already filed against Brown but also four ongoing drug dealing investigations being conducted by the Local Drug Task Force that had not yet led to charges.

Robinson said Brown seems to spend more time in prison and free.

"If he's not serving time on a conviction, he's out committing more crimes," Robison said.

Robinson noted that Brown hasn't accepted responsibility for possessing a gun in September, and he said that when Brown was accused of possessing a bag of cocaine, Brown told probation officers during his pre-sentence interview that officers found the bag in a bush and not on his person.  That was an example, Robinson said, of the defendant minimizing his responsibility for his actions. 

Another dealt with Brown's SORA violation.  Brown said, according to Robinson, that he didn't think he needed to register a change of address because he merely moved from one room to another in a hotel complex.  

Defense attorney Joseph Lobosco said his client did accept responsibility for his actions and suggested that Robinson was mischaracterizing Brown's interview with probation officers. He said the interview took hours, and the report didn't include direct quotes from Brown but paraphrases from officers written after the interview.

Brown said it was unfair of the ADA to he didn't accept responsibility for his crimes. 

He said there was the DNA of three other people on the gun but not his.  He also complained that a confidential informant used in the drug sales investigation was facing six criminal charges, which wasn't disclosed, he said. 

"I take responsibility for what I've done, and I don't make excuses," Brown said. "But I don't take responsibility for what I didn't do." 

Cianfrini said she hopes Brown will use his time in prison to better his life, to learn new skills, and reflect on the direction his life has taken.

"You could do something worthwhile with your life," she said.

On the SORA violation, Cianfrini sentenced him to 2 to 4 years in prison. On the attempted criminal possession of a weapon conviction, seven years in prison. On the criminal possession of a controlled substance conviction, 10 years in prison.  All sentences are to be served concurrently.

Previously:

Law and Order: Alabama man charged with second degree robbery

By Howard B. Owens

Isaac D. Abrams, 22, of Alabama, is charged with robbery 2nd. Abrams was arrested by State Police in the Town of Alabama in connection with an incident reported at 10:02 p.m., March 10. He was ordered held on cash bail. No further details were released.

Matthew Jacob Zon, 41, of East Main Street, Byron, is charged with criminal contempt 1st and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th.  Zon is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection at 9:17 a.m. on March 32 at a location in Byron. He was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance at the time of his arrest by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Scott Earl Clark, 62, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, failure to obey a police officer, and driving left of pavement markings. Clark was stopped at 6:37 p.m., March 10 on Ford Road in Elba by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun. Clark was held in the Genesee County Jail pending arraignment.

Anthony Jason Gostomski, 35, of Fredro Street, Buffalo, is charged with DWI, DWI with a child in the car, and endangering the welfare of a child. Gostomski was stopped at 6:57 p.m. on April 3 on Route 20 in Darien by Deputy James Stack.

Andrew William Taylor, 35, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Taylor is accused of damaging a metal bed frame in the Genesee County Jail at 10:51 p.m. on April 3. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Thomas H. Hayes, 76, of Byron, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Hayes was stopped by State Police at 6:36 p.m. on April 4 in the Town of Byron. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Frank W. Landseadel, 63, of Attica, is charged with DWI and driving while impaired by drugs. Landseadel was stopped at 3:01 p.m. on April 3 by State Police in the Town of Alexander. He was released on an appearance ticket.

David E. Brege, 36, of Medina, is charged with criminal impersonation 2nd and identity theft 2nd. Brege was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 11:20 a.m., March 29, in the Town of Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket. No other information released.

 

Fire reported in attached garage on Bartoff Road, Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

A fire is reported in a garage attached to a house at 5968 Bartoff Road, Stafford.

There are propane tanks nearby.

All occupants out of the structure except for animals.

Stafford Fire along with South Byron, Byron, Bergen, City of Batavia, Le Roy, and Town of Batavia dispatched. Mercy EMS also dispatched.

UPDATE 3:22 p.m.: City Fire and South Byron are back in service.

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