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Pembroke woman, 53, admits to possessing child porn

By Howard B. Owens

A Pembroke woman who allegedly supplied child pornography to a man later convicted of molesting toddlers entered a guilty plea in Genesee County Court today to one count of possession of sexual performance of a child.

As a term of the plea deal, Beverly Hensel, 53, of 8921 Alleghany Road, Pembroke, could receive up to 10 years probation and an intermittent jail term.

She also will not face federal prosecution.

Hansel admitted to possessing child pornography between January 2008 and December 2009.

According to court documents, Hansel met James L. Little Jr., 41, formerly of Batavia, at a bar in Corfu. During the meeting, Little said Hansel offered to acquire child pornography for him.

"Bev knew I was having certain feelings," Little wrote in his deposition as part of the court documents filed with Hansel's arrest. "Bev gave me my first child porn DVD around January of 2008."

Little is currently serving a 15-year sentence for molesting a toddler in Batavia last year and has been charged with molesting a second child.

Hansel will be sentenced Jan. 9.

Law and Order: State Police arrest Batavia woman on DWI, drug charges

By Howard B. Owens

Jessica L. Connolly, 34, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving while impaired by drugs and unlawful possession of marijuana. Connolly was stopped by State Police at 4:15 p.m., Saturday, on Route 98 in Alexander.

Timothy Billingsley, 21, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Billingsley was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 12:27 p.m., Friday.

Justin Marc Wotherspoon, 26, of Gibson Street, Oakfield, was arrested on a warrant out of Town of Batavia Court. He was jailed on $200 bail.

Law and Order: Woman accused of writing 16 checks on closed bank account

By Howard B. Owens

Ajia R. Hasenauer, 19, of 73 S. Main St., Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, and 16 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, 2nd. Hasenauer is accused of cashing 16 checks from a closed bank account. Hasenauer was jailed without bail.

Cynthia H. Owens, 37, of 28 Buell St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Owens was taken into custody on a warrant and jailed on $1,000 bail.

Derek G. Thomas, 36, no permanent address, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Thomas is charged with a felony for allegedly violating an order of protection by being at the residence of a protected party. He is also accused of a parole violation. Thomas was jailed without bail.

Dajuandrick C. Gardner, 35, of 212 State St., Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Gardner was charged in connection to an alleged incident at his residence at 5:35 a.m., Tuesday. Gardner was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Five people were charged with possession or consumption of alcohol under age 21 at 11:51 p.m., Saturday, at College Village. Charged were Kiera Monet Smoot, 19, Trevlyn Caljic Hentry, 19, Brendaliz DeJesus, 19, Ilkia Solana, 19, Drema Ramona Bautista, 19.

Kara Brooke Sass, 18, is charged with criminal trespass. Sass is accused of being at Residence Hall at College Village at 11:21 p.m., Oct. 6, after being barred from the property.

Jeffrey Michael Johnson, 24, of Forest Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with appearing in public under the influence of a narcotic or drug other than alcohol. Johnson was jailed on $300 bail.

Summer Ogden, 36, no permanent address, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd. Ogden is accused of trespassing on Batavia Housing Authority property.

Four Genesee County suspects arrested for theft at Caledonia furniture store

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Four persons were arrested on Oct. 7 by the Le Roy Police Department after allegedly being found in possession of more than $1,000 worth of stolen property, which was taken that night from the outside of a furniture store in the Village of Caledonia.

The investigation started about 10:30 p.m. that evening when a BOLO was sent out by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office asking officers to be on the lookout for a vehicle occupied by people who witnesses say just stole furniture from the store.

The vehicle was located by the Le Roy Police as it was passing through Le Roy, headed west on Route 5 toward Batavia. The four occupants were allegedly found with multiple stolen items inside the vehicle worth more than $1,000 and taken into custody.

The four suspects, their vehicle and the property were then turned over to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department and the four were charged in Livingston County for the theft. The four are also being charged in the Village of Le Roy with criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a Class E felony.

The four people arrested are:

Amy Lynn Showler, 37, of 19 Manhattan Ave., Batavia

Richard Donald Hammer, 45, of 5 Wood St., upper apt., Batavia

Jennifer Ann Zimblis, 40, of 34 Main St., apt. 2, Le Roy

Daniel John Wolfe, 38, of 5 Wood St., Batavia

Motorcycle stolen 14 years ago returns from England to its home in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Mike Lullo kept the key tacked to a bulletin board in his office for years.

"I told my wife, 'I'm going to ride that motorcycle again.' "

Her response, "yeah, yeah, yeah."

Soon, Lullo will ride that motorcycle again.

The motorcycle in question arrived in Batavia last night and was uncrated outside his insurance office on Center Street this morning.

It's a 1969 BSA Rocket III, a highly desirable bike in its day that Lullo acquired in 1975 while attending college in Albany.

It was his primary transportation for awhile. He took it on some road trips, and on one of those trips it broke down.

Lullo took the bike into the basement of a building he owned and started repair work.

"It was at the time what’s known as a basket case," Lullo said. "It had broken down, had some engine problems and was being repaired. It was somewhat disassembled, so to the untrained eye it was just a bunch of parts, a frame with some wheels on it."

One of Lullo's tenants took it upon himself to sell the bike to somebody locally. It was some time before Lullo discovered the bike was missing and about 11 years ago, he reported it stolen.

The former tenant still lives in Batavia and recently told police, Lullo said, that he sold the bike because Lullo told him to clean out the basement and get rid of everything.

"Yeah, right," Lullo said.

Even if the former tenant admitted to stealing the bike, it wouldn't matter much now.

"The statute of limitations is only five years," Lullo said. "That was 14 years ago. There's no touching him at this point. I'm just happy to get the bike back."

The tenant got $150 for the BSA and it changed hands a couple of times before it was sold to a man in Syracuse for $200.

That buyer sold the motorcycle on Ebay last November for $3,350.

In March, one of Lullo's insurance customers came into his office and they started talking motorcycles.

Lullo mentioned he once owned a BSA, and the customer said, he once did, too.  Lullo asked him to describe the bike.

"It was your bike, wasn't it, Mike?" the customer said.

With that clue, Lullo was able to find the guy in Syracuse who wound up with the motorcycle and sold it on Ebay.

At that point, Lullo recontacted Batavia PD. Det. Pat Corona got involved in the case and between the two of them -- Corona contacted Ebay for help -- they were able to track down the online transaction and the buyer in England.

The buyer in England is a retired fellow, Lullo said, who is quite into motorcycles and buys and sells parts on Ebay.

"He was a bit taken aback when he discovered he had purchased a stolen motorcycle and really didn’t want to give it back because he had invested a lot into the restoration," Lullo said.

The man shared receipts with Lullo showing $7,500 in work on the motorcycle.

The restoration project was never completed because once the man found out he would be sending the motorcycle back to the U.S. he stopped working on the project.

He returned the bike and all the original and restored parts, professionally packed in a well-constructed crate.

Lullo paid for the shipping and reimbursed the man in England for some of the restoration, otherwise, the man in England is out his purchase price and some of the restoration expense.

While Lullo expressed some sympathy for the man, he did buy a motorcycle without absolutely no documentation and once Lullo established rightful ownership the man in England, legally, had to turn it.

According to Lullo, because the buyer is in England, Ebay's buyer protection program doesn't apply to the transaction.

Proving Lullo owned the BSA wasn't necessarily easy. 

Back in the 1970s, New York didn't issue title on motorcycles, so all he had was sales receipt and a registration. Those documents disappeared with the bike.

One of the things Lullo learned about the bike the man in England had was that it was missing a side panel.

When the bike was originally stolen, the thief and/or buyer left behind a side panel.

The paint job was a custom color and that color matched the color of the bike at the time the buyer in England received the motorcycle pieces.

That helped prove Lullo was the proper owner of the motorcycle.

Getting the motorcycle back to the United States proved problematic. It was shipped to England as motorcycle parts along with other freight, so there was no export record for a motorcycle, so to customs it looked like a new import. Lullo had to produce police records and other documentation to prove the bike was being repatriated to the U.S.

After not hearing from customs, Lullo called Newark and this time he apparently got the right guy on the phone who said simply, "Your bike is ready. Come and pick it up."

Immediately, Lullo jumped in his pickup truck and drove down to Newark to retrieve a very important connection to his youth.

After unpacking it today, he stood back, held his arms out wide and with a broad grin said, "It's back home."

Batavia PD looking for gold Chevy S-10 involved in hit-and-run accident

By Howard B. Owens

At about 6:12 p.m., Thursday, a gold-colored Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck reportedly struck another vehicle on East Main Street at Elm Street and fled the scene.

Batavia PD is looking for assistance in locating the vehicle and driver.

The other car reportedly suffered extensive damage.

While the license plate number is unknown, it's believed the truck had New York Empire gold and blue license plates.

The truck should have extensive hood and front passenger-side damage.

The vehicle was last seen heading north on Elm Street.

The driver is described as a white male, from 30 to 40 years, average height and blond hair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Batavia PD at 345-6350. The confidential tip line is 345-6370.

Pavilion bank robbery suspect charged with two felonies

By Howard B. Owens

A Rochester man accused of robbing the Five Star Bank branch in Pavilion on April 16 has been formally charged with the crime.

Jonathan Alexander Mills, 25, was arraigned in Genesee County Court on Wednesday. He is charged with robbery, 3rd, and grand larceny, 4th.

While bail was set at $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond, Mills is currently being held in the Columbia County Jail on similar charges. He is scheduled to reappear in Genesee County for further court proceedings Dec. 11.

Law and Order: Police apprehend suspects in beer heist from Tops

By Howard B. Owens

James G. Cox II, 27, of 46 Holland Ave., Lancaster, is charged with petit larceny, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and permitting unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Cox was identified as a suspect of a heist of a 12-pack of beer from Tops Market at 11:29 p.m., Wednesday. His vehicle was located on School Street and Officer Frank Klimjack initiated a traffic stop.

Jamie A. Showler, 16, of 19 Manhattan Ave, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and unlicensed operation. Showler was allegedly driving the vehicle (see Cox, above) seen leaving the scene of an alleged beer theft from Tops Market.

(Name redacted upon request), 22, of River Road, Pavilion, is charged with petit larceny and criminal tampering, 3rd. xxx was located in Target on Wednesday and identified as a suspect in the theft of the beverage Red Bull on Oct. 6. Besides allegedly stealing the Red Bull, Losh is accused of tampering with the security device on a Dyson vacuum.

Rena P. Argento, 53, of Chili, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Argento was stopped by State Police on Caswell Road, Stafford, at 2:36 a.m., Tuesday.

Alleged drunken driver destroys Settler's Restaurant sign

By Howard B. Owens

The 28-year-old business sign for Settler's Restaurant was destroyed early this morning by an alleged drunken driver.

Martin F. Jones, 41, of 120 Jackson St., Batavia, allegedly hit the sign at 1:56 a.m.

After Jones reportedly hit the sign, witness reportedly found Jones apparently passed out over the wheel of his car. They pounded on the window of the vehicle and Jones reportedly woke up, put his car in reverse, and pulled out onto West Main Street.

He then allegedly drove to the Hess station at West Main and Oak streets where he allegedly ran into a parked vehicle.

Police say Jones then abandoned the vehicle and left on foot.

He was located a short time later by Deputy Frank Bordonaro and taken into custody.

Jones was charged with felony DWI, refusal to take breath test, two counts of leaving the scene of a property damage accident, unsafe backing, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, avoiding an intersection, speed not reasonable and prudent and driving on the sidewalk.

He also had two active arrest warrants for allegedly falsely reporting an incident and disorderly conduct.

Batavia PD reports that Jones had "several" previous DWI convictions and was driving on a revoked license as a result.

Following arraignment in city court, Jones was jailed without bail.

The case was investigated by Lt. Greg Steele, Sgt. Dan Coffey, Officer Eric Bolles and Officer Marc Lawrence.

Settler's co-owner John Spyropoulos said the sign, which has already been removed from the property, is damaged beyond repair and will need to be replaced.

'Wife Swap' celeb in media spotlight at court appearance on prostitution charge

By Howard B. Owens

More than a half dozen media outlets turned up in Corfu today for the Pembroke Town Court appearance of Alicia Guastaferro -- the reality TV celebrity who is charged with prostitution and possession of drugs.

As is typical for an arraignment at this stage of the legal process, Guastaferro, 20, of Williamsville, entered a not guilty plea to criminal Impersonation, criminal possession of a controlled substance and prostitution.

Attorney Dan Killelea said prior to his client's next court appearance Dec. 11, he will meet with Assistant District Attorney Robert Zickl and discuss the case. That discussion will help determine what happens next.

At age 16, Guastaferro appeared in the reality TV series "Wife Swap," a series on the Lifetime Network that involves unhappy spouses switching families for a week.

She was arrested Aug. 29 with Rochester attorney James Doyle, 54, who is accused of DWI, refusing a breath test, providing alcohol to a person under age 21 and patronizing a prostitute.

Church burglar faces possible long prison term after accepting plea deal

By Howard B. Owens

Church burglar John A. Cabrera is facing a maximum possible sentence of 21 years in prison after admitting to three felonies in Genesee County Court this afternoon.

John Anthony Cabrera Jr., 22, entered guilty pleas to Class D felony counts of burglary and escape. Each of the three convictions carry a possible sentence of two-and-a-third to seven years, and each sentence could be served consecutively.

Sentencing for Cabrera was set for 9:15 a.m., Dec. 4.

The plea is in satisfaction of multiple charges against Cabrera, who was captured July 24 after breaking into St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 31 Washington Ave., Batavia.

There may be additional charges against Cabrera, but this plea covers those charges as well. In order for any victims to recover restitution, Cabrera must be charged of those suspected crimes before he is sentenced on this plea.

So far, there are claims of restitution from St. Paul's and Genesee County totally nearly a $1,000 and District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said there willl be additional claims filed prior to Dec. 4.

In order for the plea deal to stand, Cabrera cannot dispute any restitution claims.

There was a spate of church burglaries in early summer prior to Cabrera's arrest, including at St. Mary's, Ascension West, First Baptist and St. James.

After he was arrested, Cabrera managed to escape from the Genesee County Jail, though he was captured before he could actually get out of the building.

For previous coverage, click here.

Two men arrested for allegedly trespassing at Rolling Hills Asylum

By Billie Owens

Two men were arrested today for allegedly trespassing at the Rolling Hills Asylum in the Town of Bethany, according to State Police, following an investigation of an incident that occurred on Sept. 15.

Arrested where Andrew E. Cox, 18, of Gainsville, and 18-year-old Timothy E. Rafferty, of Pike. They were cooperative during the investigation and will appear in the Town of Bethany Court at a later date, State Police said.

On Sept. 15, employees of Rolling Hills Asylum reported seeing subjects walking on property that was clearly posted. The employees were able to produce a photo of the license plate of a vehicle used by the suspects.

Rolling Hills Asylum does conduct tours of their buildings and grounds, but does so by appointment only. The property is clearly posted and an informational sign is posted at the front of the building. People are not permitted to simply walk out onto the property or into the buildings without an appointment, according to State Police, who say they are concerned about ongoing trespass complaints there.

Item found in work space of man accused of transporting a grenade in Le Roy turns out to be a toy

By Howard B. Owens

A Tonawanda business was evacuated early this morning after an employee found what he thought was an explosive device in the work space of Paul Kaiser.

Kaiser, 26, of 12335 Bullis Road, East Aurora, was charged in Le Roy yesterday with criminal possession of a weapon after a homemade hand grenade was allegedly found in the trunk of his car.

At 8:30 a.m., a co-worker at Anderson Equipment Company reported finding what appeared to be an explosive device in Kaiser's area of the building.

It turned out to be a novelty item and posed no threat, according to WIVB.

The Erie County Bomb Squad searched the building and found no evidence of weapons or explosive devices concealed there.

According to WIVB, authorities do not believe Kaiser planted the novelty item with the intent to scare people. He faces no new charges in Erie County related to this incident.

Law and Order: Alleged illegal immigrant accused of criminally possessing a shotgun

By Howard B. Owens

Edgar R. Perez-Gonzalez, 34, of North Main Street, Elba, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Perez-Gonzalez was allegedly found with a shotgun that was not legal for him to possess. He is also accused of being in the country illegally. He was arraigned and jailed on $100 bail.

Monica Renee Lloyd, 26, of Viking Way, Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Lloyd was stopped at 8:31 p.m., Sunday, for allegedly driving 48 mph in a 30 mph zone on Lake Street, Bergen, by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Christopher C. Say, 21, of 518 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Say is accused of violating a stay away court order.

Alicia M. Stankwick, 21, of 318 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Stankwick is accused of violating a court order of protection.

Man allegedly with homemade grenade faces felony weapons charge

By Howard B. Owens

A 26-year-old Erie County resident is facing a felony weapons charge after his car was stopped in Le Roy this morning and a home made grenade was allegedly found in the trunk of his vehicle.

Paul R. Kaiser, of 12335 Bullis Road, East Aurora, reportedly consented to the search after a Le Roy PD officer informed Kaiser he believed he smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle.

Kaiser was initially stopped on Lake Street for allegedly speeding.

After the explosive device was discovered, Kaiser reportedly informed the officer he had made others previously.

Erie County law enforcement later conducted a search of Kaiser's residence, but the results of that search have not yet been released.

During this morning's incident, eight homes on Lake Street were evacuated and Route 19 was closed from about 6:45 a.m. to 9 a.m.

The State Police Bomb Squad was dispatched to the scene and determined the alleged explosive device was live and dangerous. It was removed to a safe location, according to Le Roy PD.

Kaiser was charged with one count of criminal possession of a weapon, 1st, a Class B felony, one count of unlawful possession of marijuana, speeding, driving with a suspended license and uninspected motor vehicle.

Assisting Le Roy PD at the scene and with the investigation were State Police, Erie County Sheriff's Office, Le Roy Fire Department, Le Roy Ambulance Service, the District Attorney's Office and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

Law and Order: Two men charged with disorderly conduct following alleged fight on Bank Street

By Howard B. Owens

Michael J. Elmore, 21, of 130 Bank St., Batavia, and Clifford F. Schultz, 46, of 26 Pearl St., Batavia, are charged with disorderly conduct. At 12:29 a.m., Sunday, Batavia PD responded to a disturbance call at 130 Bank St. and observed two men allegedly fighting. Schultz was reportedly seen throwing a punch and striking another person. Elmore allegedly held a baseball bat.

Scott T. Laird, 30, of 5711 Horseshoe Lake Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Laird was stopped at 11:43 a.m., Sunday, on Main Street by Officer Chris Camp.

Carrie A. Brown, 32, of First Street, Bolivar, and Dennis Eugene Hopkins, 41, of First Street, Bolivar, are charged with grand larceny, 4th. The couple is accused of stealing $2,000 in pennies from a church on Lewiston Road, Batavia. The money was being saved to buy a playground for children in a Third World country. Brown was jailed on $500 bail. Hopkins was held without bail.

Woodrow Clarence Horseman, 36, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Horseman is accused of shoplifting $103.72 in merchandise from Walmart.

Danielle E. Cummings, 34, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with burglary, 2nd, unauthorized use of a vehicle, 3rd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and unlicensed operation. Cummings is accused of entering a residence on Horsehoe Lake Road, Stafford, taking the keys to a vehicle and using the vehicle without permission.

Manuel Larry Valdez, 34, of Shane Drive, Syracuse, was taken into custody on a parole warrant.

Route 19 closed after suspected hand grenade found in trunk of a car

By Howard B. Owens

About eight residents had to be evacuated from their homes on Lake Street this morning after a routine traffic stop by Le Roy PD led to a bomb scare.

Following the stop for alleged speeding around 7:30 a.m., a police officer conducted a search of a vehicle and found what appeared to be a homemade grenade in the trunk.

The State Police bomb disposal team was called in, Route 19 was closed, and nearby residents were evacuated.

Unspecified charges are pending against the susptect, who was taken into custody. ATF and the DA's office are being consulted.

The suspect was cooperative with police throughout the incident. 

After he was stopped for allegedly speeding, the officer asked to take a look in the vehicle's trunk and the driver consented.

He reportedly told authorities he had made grenades before.

Route 19 has reopened.

PHOTOS: Top, Police officer with gun found in the vehicle. Bottom, a state trooper at the scene. Photos by Alecia Kaus.

Grand jury issues indictments for allegedly selling cocaine, drunk driving, child endangerment

By Billie Owens

These are the latest indictments isssued by the Genesee County Grand Jury.

Terry M. Bacome is indicted on a charge of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. He is accused of knowingly and unlawfully selling a controlled substance, cocaine, on April 23 in the City of Batavia. In count two of the indictment, he is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, for possessing cocaine with the intent to sell it. In counts three and four, he is accused of the same crimes, but for a different date -- April 24. In the fifth count of the indictment, Bacome is accused of endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor, for knowingly acting in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child under 17 years of age. He is accused of possessing and selling cocaine in the presence of a child under 17.

Nichole M. McKerrow is indicted on a charge of aggravated driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony. She is accused of driving a 2003 Cadillac on Ross Street in the Town of Batavia on July 17 while in an intoxicated condition and while a child age 15 or under was a passenger. In count two of the indictment, she is charged with the same crime while a second child age 15 or under was a passenger. In count three of the indictment, she is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree for operating a motor vehicle while she knew or had reason to know that her license was suspended, withdrawn or otherwise revoked. And she is accused of doing so under the influence of alcohol or a drug and while knowing or having reason to know that she had three or more suspensions on at least three separate dates for failure to answer, appear or pay a fine.

Christopher M. Ames is indicted on a charge of driving while intoxicated, a Class E Felony, for driving a 2007 Pontiac on Knowlesville Road in Alabama on April 13 while under the influence. In count two, he is accused of driving while intoxicated, per se, also a Class E felony, for having a BAC of .08 at the time of the incident. In addition, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman noted that Ames was convicted of driving while intoxicated on Nov. 3, 2003, in Batavia Town Court, which is within 10 years of the crimes alleged in this indicment.

NO BILL -- The grand jury returned a determination of "No Bill" -- insufficient evidence -- after considering possible charges of burglary, 2nd, and criminal contempt, 1st, against Brad. C. Doward from incidents which occurred Aug. 3 in the City of Batavia.

State Police say tips from public vital in helping to uncover clandestine meth labs

By Howard B. Owens

They're items you might find around the home of any Genesee County resident any day of the week -- Drano, salt, kitty litter, batteries, soda bottles and cold medicine -- but mixed together the chemicals can become deadly, either to the people seeking a high from methamphetamine, or to those consumed by fires when the chemistry goes bad.

At the Batavia barracks today, officers with the State Police met with media from throughout the region in the hope of educating the public about meth labs that might be found in their own neighborhoods.

"We need the public to help us," said Major Christopher Cummings, commander of Troop A in Batavia.

A chemical smell might alert a concerned citizen to a possible meth lab nearby, or if a person finds discarded materials along the side of a roadway or in a field, Cummings said they should call local law enforcement to check it out.

Such a lead could help uncover a clandestine meth lab.

While across Central and Western New York, the number of meth labs raided by State Police has increased considerably -- rising from 45 in 2011 to more than 100 so far in 2012 -- there have been no labs detected in Genesee County since April 2011.

That lab, found in South Byron, came at the end of a spate of methamphetamine arrests that began with the bust of Kenneth Mosholder and accomplices in November 2009.

Last week at a press conference about prescription drug drop-offs, U.S. Attorney for Western New York William Hochul and Sheriff Gary Maha said there was no known meth activity in Genesee County.

Today, Cummings confirmed that activity locally seems to be way down.

"That's not to say they're not out there," Cummings said. "You don't know what you don't know."

Public education, Cummings said, is essential to uncovering meth labs.  Members of the public need to know what goes into making meth so that if they find the disposed waste of meth production they can report it, or if they smell a chemical smell that's unusual, they can call it in to police.

Doug Wildermuth (inset photo), head of the Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team, said there is no one description for the odor of meth. The best he could say was "it's a chemical smell." Because there's so many different recipes, it just isn't possible to say it smells one way or the other.

Part of today's press conference was aimed at educating the public on the inherent dangers of meth production.

There is no way to make it that doesn't involve some fire risk -- even with the so-called "one-pot method" that is commonly used these days.

"These are not labs as you might think of them," Cummings said. "These are not neat and clean. They're haphazard arrangements in sheds and garages."

A typical recipe includes ether (engine starter), sulfuric acid (drain cleaner), salt, lithium (batteries), anhydrous ammonia (fertilizer) and any number of different types of over-the-counter cold medications.

"All of these items are easy to get and easy to mix," Wildermuth said. "It's just that scary because it's just that quick."

While recipes for meth are easy to obtain online, the typical meth cook learned the process from another meth cook.

Local law enforcement, for example, maintained that many of the meth labs raided after Mosholder's arrest could be traced to Mosholder teaching others how to cook. Mosholder, originally from Genesee County, reportedly learned while in Texas.

While there are big meth lab operations in Mexico, where big drug cartels use more sophisticated methods than "one-pot," not much of that drug seems to be making its way to New York, authorities said.

The typical one-pot meth maker is mixing the chemicals for his or her own consumption and maybe only sells off a small amount of excess drug.

Once a lab is found, the clean up is expensive requires every environmental precaution. For the South Byron raid in 2009, The Batavian was invited by the Sheriff's Office to observe the operation. Pictures from that raid -- evidence collection handled by the State Police -- can be found by clicking here.

Law and Order: Four people charged in alleged domestic incident in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Brian W. Pike, 49, of 37 Lake St., Le Roy; Brant G. Matthews, 17, of 10 Maple Ave., Le Roy; Roxanne M. Redden, 47, of 37 Lake St., Le Roy, and an unnamed 16-year-old female are all charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Pike was also charged with unlawful imprisonment, 2nd. The four individuals were charged following a Le Roy PD investigation into a domestic incident at 6:45 a.m., Thursday, at 37 Lake St., Le Roy. When arriving on scene, officers observed Pike allegedly holding Matthews in a headlock on the floor while Matthews was holding his 3-week-old daughter. Redden and the 16-year-old are accused of being involved in the altercation prior to police arriving. Pike is accused of physically preventing Matthews from leaving the residence. All four subjects were arraigned and released on their own recognizance. DSS assisted in the investigation.

Danielle M. Stevens, 26, of Ford Road, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. Stevens is accused of shoplifting from Tops Market.

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