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DSS announces three arrests for alleged welfare fraud

By Howard B. Owens

Patricia McDonald, 37, of East Avenue, Batavia, is charged with offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and grand larceny 3rd after an investigation by Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi.  McDonald is accused of falsely reporting that her children were residing with her in order to obtain additional SNAP benefits in the amount of  $2,501.  McDonald was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released on her own recognizance.

James Harris, 63, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny 4th and welfare fraud 4th after an investigation by Genesee County Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi. Harris is accused of failing to report income from a job he had, resulting in him receiving $2,395 in SNAP benefits he was not entitled to.  Harris was arraigned in Town of  Batavia Court and released on his own recognizance.

Remy Lacey, 33, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with welfare fraud 3rd and grand larceny 3rd after an investigation by Genesee County Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi. Lacey is accused of failing to report wages from a job he held, resulting in him receiving $3,326 in SNAP benefits he was not entitled to.  Lacey was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released on his own recognizance.

Batavia man accused of dealing crack cocaine following six-month investigation

By Howard B. Owens
philip chin
Philip Chin

A six-month investigation into the possession, transportation, and sale of crack cocaine in and around Genesee County has led to the rest of a 36-year-old Batavia resident.

Philp R. Chin, of McKinley Avenue, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, and one count of tampering with physical evidence.

Chin was taken into custody on a sealed indictment warrant issued by Genesee County Court on Thursday evening following a traffic stop in the Village of Le Roy initiated by members of the Local Drug Task Force. 

He is accused of selling crack cocaine to an agent of the task force in Batavia on two separate occasions.

During the traffic stop, Chin was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine and attempted to conceal it from arresting officers.

Following arraignment in County Court, Chin was released on his own recognizance in accordance with current New York State bail laws.

The task force was assisted by uniformed deputies, Le Roy patrol officers, and the District Attorney's Office.

Quartet of Batavia residence facing weapons and drug charges following raid

By Howard B. Owens

Four people are facing weapons and drug charges following the execution of a search warrant by members of the Local Drug Task Force on Oct. 28 at 14 South Spruce St., Batavia.

The arrests were the result of a months-long investigation, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Taken into custody were:

larnder mug
Haley Larnder
torres mug
Michael Torres

Michael J. Torres, 40, Batavia, no street residence provided, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 2nd for allegedly possessing a loaded firearm, a Class C felony, criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, a Class B felony, and criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, a Class D felony.

Haley M. Larnder, 24, Batavia, no street residence provided, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 2nd for allegedly possessing a loaded firearm, a Class C felony, criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, a Class B felony, and criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, a Class A misdemeanor.

Dawn M. Morford, 60, Batavia, no street residence provided, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, a Class B felony, and criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, a Class D felony.

freeman mug
Jason Freeman
morford mug
Dawn Morford

Jason H. Freeman, 42, Batavia, no street residence provided, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, a Class B felony, and criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, a Class D felony.

The Sheriff's Office did not provide details on the weapons nor narcotics allegedly recovered at the scene.

All four defendants were held pending arraignment.

The task force was assisted by the Batavia Emergency Response Team, uniformed officers, Batavia PD, and the District Attorney's Office.

Law and Order: Batavia man accused of threatening two people with a knife

By Howard B. Owens
falk mug
Terrance L. Falk

Terrance L. Falk, 25, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 3rd and menacing 2nd. Falk is accused of threatening two people with a knife during an altercation on Washington Avenue at an undisclosed time on Oct. 24. He was arraigned and ordered back to court at a later date.

Victor M. V. Diaz, 22, of Canisteo, is charged with gang assault 2nd. Dias is accused of causing serious physical injury to another person during an altercation on Law Street on May 30, 2022. Dias was arrested on Oct. 19 and arraigned in City Court and released under supervision.

victor diaz mug
Victor Diaz

Jennifer K. Freeman, 39, of Batavia, is charged with assault 2nd. Freeman is accused of striking another person in the head with a blunt object on Oct. 17 at an undisclosed time and location, causing injury. Freeman was arraigned and released.

Keith M. Lewandowski, 32, of Albion, is charged with robbery 3rd, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, menacing 2nd, and harassment 2nd. Lewandowski is accused of being involved in a disturbance on Oct. 14 at an undisclosed time and undisclosed location where Lewandowski allegedly struck another person, threatened that person with a knife, and stole the victim's mobile phone. Lewandowski was arraigned and ordered to reappear at a later date.

jennifer freeman mug
Jennifer Freeman
keith lewindowski
Keith Lewandowski

Christopher H Monfort, 51, of Webster, was arrested on a warrant on Oct. 17. Monfort was initially charged on Feb. 18 with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 2nd, and switched license plates. He was released on appearance tickets and is accused of failure to appear in court. Monfort was arraigned and held on nominal bail. 

Amber L. Turner, 30, of Batavia, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant on Oct. 16. Turner was initially charged with making graffiti on July 28 after allegedly spray painting the sidewalk on South Main Street. The warrant was issued after Turner allegedly failed to appear in court. She was arraigned in City Court and released. 

Malik I Ayala, 32, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Ayala is accused of stealing merchandise from Kwik Fill on Jackson Street on Sept .19. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Sarah E. Hill, of Corning, is charged with harassment 2nd. Hill is accused of striking another person at a location on West Main Street, Batavia, on Oct. 3. She was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Benjamin G. Evans, 35, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant on Oct. 13. Evans was initially arrested on July 9 and charged with petit larceny after allegedly stealing a package from the front porch of a residence. The warrant was issued on Oct. 11 after he allegedly failed to appear in court. He was arraigned and released. 

Michael A Sweet, 37, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property 4th, identity theft 3rd, and petit larceny. Sweet is accused of possessing a stolen debit card and using it to purchase items from a local store.  He was arrested on Oct. 22 and issued an appearance ticket.

Shante C. Johnson, 26, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd and criminal mischief 4th. Johnson is accused of entering a residence on Thorpe Street, Batavia, and damaging property inside on Sept. 26. Johnson was arrested on Oct. 16 and arraigned and released pending further court proceedings.

Corey A. Brown, 37, of Batavia, was arrested on Oct. 15 on two arrest warrants. Each warrant charges Brown with sex offender failure to notify change of address and Level 3 sex offender failure to verify address. He was arraigned and ordered to reappear at a later date.

Joseph M Tornabene, 32, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Tornabene is accused of making unwanted physical contact with a person covered by a protective order. Tornabene was arrested on Oct. 19 and arraigned and ordered to reappear in court at a later date.

Gage A. Dieterle, 22, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Dieterle is accused of damaging property that belonged to another person during an altercation on Lincoln Avenue. He was arrested on Oct. 24 and arraigned in City Court, and ordered to reappear at a later date.

James E. Murray, 24, undisclosed residence, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Murrary is accused of having contact with a person covered by a protective order. He was arrested on Oct. 23, arraigned in City Court and jailed.

Hailee N. Callicutt, 33, of Batavia, was arrested on Oct. 23 on a warrant issued by City Court. Callicutt was initially arrested on Jan. 1, 2022, and charged with obstructing governmental administration 2nd, resisting arrest and several vehicle and traffic violations. She was issued appearance tickets and released. Callicutt allegedly failed to appear in court, and a warrant was issued on Sept. 20, 2022. Callicutt was arrested on that warrant on Aug. 29. She was released and was scheduled to appear in court at a later date. She allegedly failed to appear again, and another warrant was issued on Oct. 16. Callicutt was located on a traffic stop in Batavia and arrested. She was arraigned is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

Peter L. Jackson, 57, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Jackson is accused of violating an order of protection. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Ted E. Kingsley, 51, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Kingsley is accused of stealing merchandise from Family Dollar on East Main Street, Batavia on Oct. 21. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Jeslene Daniell Beach, 35, of Morrow Road, Pavilion, is charged with grand larceny 4th and five counts of petit larceny. Beach is accused of stealing five checks from one person and then cashing those checks via mobile deposit. The total of the five checks cashed exceeded $1,000.

Paul Everett Cooper, 47, of Swamp Road, Bergen, is charged with 12 counts of falsifying business records 1st. Cooper is accused of making multiple false entries in his Federal Firearms License Acquisition and Disposition Log Book in an alleged attempt to conceal the crime of criminal possession of a weapon by another person. Cooper was issued an appearance ticket.

Larry Francis Dillon, 62, of Covington Street, Perry, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right. Dillon was arrested by Deputy Mason Schultz following an investigation into a motor vehicle accident reported at 9:21 p.m. on Oct. 12 on Big Tree Road, Pavilion. Dillon was transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing and released.

Todd James Strong, 52, of Rochester (no street provided), is charged with felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation 1st, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and parking on the highway. Strong was reportedly located at 3:22 a.m. on Oct. 19 asleep in his vehicle at Route 33 and Wortendyke Road, Batavia, by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell. Strong allegedly has two prior DWI convictions within the past 10 years. He was held pending arraignment.

Raven Madison Spikes, 21, of Porter Avenue, Batavia, and Jaliyah Shontel McClinic, 20, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, are both charged with petit larceny and endangering the welfare of a child. Spike and McClinic are accused of stealing items from Target in Batavia at 5 p.m. on Oct. 20 while accompanied by two children. Both were issued appearance tickets.

Ronald James Murray, Jr., 29, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Deputies were dispatched to a location on Bethany Center Road, Bethany, at 4:03 p.m. on Oct. 22 to investigate a report of a male passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle. Deputies allegedly found Murray in possession of a white rock-like substance in his lab, which was later identified as crack cocaine. He was arrested and taken to the Genesee County Jail for processing before being released on an appearance ticket. 

Tyler Joseph Burns, 19, no residence provided, is charged with criminal mischief (no degree of the charges listed). At 4 a.m. on Oct. 22, Deputies were dispatched to the parking lot of Batavia Downs for a report of a man going through cars. At the scene, deputies spoke with Burns. It's unclear if this happened before or after the interview, but Burns reportedly fell asleep in a bathroom at Batavia Downs, and when awoken by security, he reportedly became irate and destroyed the baby changing station.  He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Jonathan Michael Falk, 25, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with conspiracy 6th. Also charged was Trace G. Brewer, 23, of Montclaire Avenue, Batavia, who is also charged with petit larceny. Falk and Brewer are accused of stealing from Kohl's Department Store at 4:32 p.m. on Oct. 16. They allegedly stole a $40 pair of children's Nike shoes and fled the store. Once located, the pair was taken into custody and transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing and released on an appearance ticket.

Jeremey Gene English, 21, of Ellis Drive, Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right, and driving with an obstructed view. English was reportedly involved in a head-on collision at 12:07 a.m. on Oct. 29 on Route 33 in Pembroke. English was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Casey Thomas Vaughn, 34, of Prestige Xing, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Vaughn is accused of violating a complete stay-away order at 8:21 p.m. on Oct. 26 by allowing the protected party into his residence. He was helped pending arraignment.

Marando Lena Button, 30, of Batavia (no street address provided), is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and insufficient signal. Button was allegedly found in possession of drug paraphernalia following a traffic stop by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 28 on Lewiston Road and Park Road, Batavia. Button was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Miguel Esquivel Alvarez, Jr., 28, of Main Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unlicensed driver, and inadequate lights. Alvarez was stopped at 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 1 on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Zachary Hoy. He was issued tickets and released.

Ronald Walter Sibs, 58, of Stonebriar Lane, Rochester, is charged with criminal trespass 3rd. Sibs is accused of being inside Batavia Downs at 6:27 a.m., Oct. 28, after being previously barred from the property. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Trevvohn Sherreff Parker, 32, of West Avenue, Medina, is charged with petit larceny. Parker is accused of stealing fuel from the TP Deli on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation at 1:34 p.m. on Oct. 7. He was arrested on Nov. 5 and issued an appearance ticket.

Jason J. Meyer, 46, of Elba is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Meyer was stopped by State Police in the Town of Oakfield at 6:26 p.m. on Nov. 3. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Robert O. Taft, 49, of Alexander, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Taft was arrested in connection with an incident reported 7:35 p.m. on Nov. 1 in the Town of Alexander. Taft was released on his own recognizance. 

Heather N. Holbrook, 38, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. During an arrest on an unrelated warrant on Oct. 24, Holbrook was allegedly found in possession of narcotics. She was arraigned and ordered held.

Jeffrey D. Bald, 41, of Le Roy, is charged with burglary 2nd and petit larceny. Bald is accused of entering a residence on East Main Street, Batavia, and stole property. Bald was arraigned in City Court and jailed.

Robert D. Griffin, 45, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st and assault 2nd. Griffin is accused of sending multiple harassing text messages and leaving voicemails to a protected party. While in custody, Griffin allegedly kicked a door, which hit and injured an officer. Griffin was arraigned and ordered held without bail.

Martin J. Rodgers, 39, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd, and Wayne D. Potter, 40, of Batavia, is charged with attempted assault 3rd. Both men were arrested on Oct. 27 following an investigation into a fight on Oct. 14 at a location on West Main Street, Batavia. Both men were issued appearance tickets.

Timothy J. Stump, 51, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Stump is accused of damaging property inside a residence on Highland Park on Oct. 28. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Haley M. Larnder, 24, of Batavia, was arrested on Oct. 29 on a warrant issued by City Court. Larnder was initially arrested on March 19 and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. She was issued an appearance ticket and was to appear in court at a later date. She allegedly failed to appear, and a warrant was issued on April 11. She was arrested on the warrant on April 21. She was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance. Larnder again allegedly failed to appear in court, and another warrant was issued on June 22. She was arrested on that warrant on Aug. 2. She was arraigned and released. She again allegedly failed to appear in court, and a third warrant was issued on Aug. 21. She was located and arrested on Oct. 29. She was arraigned and was released on her own recognizance. 

Lawrence J. Sharpstene, 44, of Batavia, was arrested on Oct. 28 on a warrant issued by City Court. Sharpstene was initially charged on Aug. 28 on charges of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 3rd and expired inspection following a traffic stop on East Avenue. Sharpstene was issued traffic tickets. The warrant was issued after he allegedly failed to appear in court. Sharpstene was arraigned in City Court and released. 

James J. Richardson, 45, of Sweden, is charged with harassment 2nd. Richardson allegedly struck another person in the face while at T.F. Brown's on Oct. 27. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Two men reportedly steal coats from Dick's, flee on bicycles

By Howard B. Owens

Deputies have been dispatched to Veterans Memorial Drive following the report of two men stealing coats from Dick's Sporting Goods.

The men reportedly fled on bicycles.

They are described as white, one wearing a black sweater, baseball cap, and jeans and the other in blue jeans and gray sweater. 

They were last seen headed toward Walmart.

UPDATE 2:45 p.m.: One suspect in custody.

Teenagers from Rochester charged in thefts of cars left unlocked and running in driveways

By Howard B. Owens

A pair of teenagers from Rochester are accused of stealing two unlocked vehicles that were left running in the driveways of Batavia homes this morning.

The first theft was reported on Lacrosse Avenue in Batavia. It was later located on Cherry Avenue, where another vehicle that had been left unlocked and running was stolen.

A short time after the theft was reported, a Le Roy patrol officer spotted the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. 

The driver fled, leading to a chase into Monroe County.  The Monroe County Sheriff's Office assisted with the pursuit once it was in the department's jurisdiction.

The chase ended in North Chili, where one occupant was taken into custody without incident.  

A second occupant fled on foot but was taken into custody a short time later.

A 17-year-old male and an 18-year-old female, whose names are not being released by Batavia PD, were charged with two counts each of grand larceny 4th.  They are also facing charges and traffic violations in Le Roy.

The pair was issued appearance tickets and released to their guardians in accordance with state law.

Batavia PD said in a statement that it wishes to thank the Village of LeRoy Police Department, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center and Monroe County Sheriff's Office for their assistance. 

"We further would like to remind residents to secure their vehicles and not leave them running while unattended," the department said in a statement.

Parolee with lengthy criminal record accused of multiple vehicle thefts in the county

By Howard B. Owens
edward Ruckdeschel
Edward Ruckdeschel

A parolee with a lengthy criminal history is in custody following a string of car thefts in Genesee County.

Edward G. Ruckdeschel, 61, of Batavia, is charged with two counts of grand larceny in the third degree and two counts of grand larcenhy in the fourth degree, and could face more changes, according to the Sheriff's Office.

During a lengthy investigation, "several" stolen vehicles were located throughout Genesee County and surrounding areas.

The investigation was conducted by road patrols and criminal investigation divisions with the assistance of the State Police and the Orleans County Sheriff's Office.

Ruckdeschel available criminal record goes back to 1986 when he was arrested in Monroe County and sent to prison, convictions for criminal possession of stolen property 2nd and criminal possession of stolen property first.

In 1997, he was imprisoned for criminal mischief in the third degree and burglary in the third degree.

In 2000 he was sent to prison again on a conviction in Cayuga County for grand larceny in the fourth degree.

In 2006, in Oneida County, burglary in the third degree.

In 2011, criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree.

In 2017, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in the second degree.

His first conviction to lead to prison time in Genesee County was in 2020 for grand larceny in the fourth degree, auto theft, and grand larceny in the third degree.

Ruckdeschel was arraigned and jailed without bail.

The Sheriff's Office said the investigation is ongoing and Ruckdeschel faces several additional charges.

A 2004 Honda CRV without much gas reportedly stolen in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens
2004 crv
A gray 2004 Honda CRV (not the actual vehicle).

The Sheriff's Office has received a report of a stolen gray 2004 Honda CRV from a residence on West Bergen Road in Bergen.

The vehicle was last seen heading west. 

The caller states there isn't much gas in the car, "so he shouldn't make it very far."

Patrols in the area have been alerted.

Law and Order: Batavia teen charged with gang assault

By Howard B. Owens
devon shine mugshot
Devon Shine

Devon C. Shine, 19, of Batavia, is charged with gang assault 2nd. Shine is accused of taking part with two other people in assaulting another person on May 30 at an undisclosed time and undisclosed location and causing serious injury. He was arrested on Sept. 27 and arraigned in City Court. He was released under supervision.

Alan G. Jones, 40, of Rochester, is charged with grand larceny 4th. Jones is accused of stealing more than $1,000 in merchandise from Harbor Freight in Batavia on Oct. 6. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

chad williams
Chad Williams

Chad S. Williams, 52, of Rochester, is charged with. criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th, and tampering with evidence. Williams was arrested on Oct. 2 on the drug charges stemming from his arrest on Nov. 29 on unrelated charges when he was allegedly found in possession of narcotics. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held without bail.

Nekia D. Newton, 47, and Charnee A. Harris, 32, both of Rochester, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. Newton and Harris were arrested by a Batavia patrol officer on Sept. 27 following a traffic stop where they were allegedly found in possession of narcotics. They were arraigned in City Court. Newton was held without bail and Harris was released on her own recognizance. 

Michelle L. Darch, 37, of Batavia, is charged with falsely reporting an incident and tampering with physical evidence. Darch is accused of falsely reporting that she was involved in a hit-and-run accident on Sept. 24 and of allegedly staging evidence at the scene. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Robert Z. Johnson, 23, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd. Johnson allegedly injured another person during a disturbance on East Main Street, Batavia. He was arrested Sept .29 and issued an appearance ticket.

Peter L. Jackson, 57, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Jackson is accused of shoving and kicking another person at an undisclosed time and location. He was arrested on Oct. 11. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

Tammy M. Caldwell, 53, of Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant on Oct. 3. Caldwell was initially arrested on Aug. 9, 2019, and charged with petit larceny for an alleged retail theft. A warrant was issued on Jan. 27, 2020, after she allegedly failed to appear in court. Caldwell was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance.

Aaron R. Hatfield, 39, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant issued by City Court. Hatfield was initially charged on Aug. 14, with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th after an investigation into a larceny from Tops. He was issued an appearance ticket but allegedly failed to appear in court. Hatfield was arraigned on the warrant and released on his own recognizance.

George J. Budzinack, 43, of Batavia, was arrested on Oct. 8 on a bench warrant issued by City Court. Budzinack was initially arrested on Aug. 3 and charged with criminal possession of stolen property 5th. He was issued an appearance ticket but allegedly failed to appear in court. He was arraigned and released.

George J. Budzinack, 43, of Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant on Oct. 8 issued by City Court. Budzinack was initially arrested on Aug. 8 and charged with criminal possession of stolen property 5th. He was issued an appearance ticket but allegedly failed to appear in court. He was arraigned and released. Budzinack is also charged with petit larceny. He is accused of stealing a bicycle on Sept. 27 from a porch on East Main Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket. Budzinack was also charged with petit larceny. He is accused of stealing shoes from Shoe Dept on Veterans Memorial Drive at 3:15 p.m. on Oct. 6. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Tatyanna M. White, 20, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. White is accused of violating an order of protection on Oct. 5. White was issued an appearance ticket.

Nathaniel A. Moultrup, 23, of Attica, is charged with DWI. Moultrup was arrested following a traffic stop on South Main Street on Sept. 23, where he was allegedly found to be operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

Supreme N. Ervin, 24, of Batavia is charged with riding a bicycle on a sidewalk. Ervin was charged in connection with a motor vehicle accident on Sept 21 at an undisclosed location in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Teri K. Easton, 61, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Easton is accused of shoplifting on Sept. 28 at Rite Aid on East Main Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Benjamin D. Seekins, 34, of Batavia, is charged with theft of services. Seekins is accused of leaving T.F. Brown's on Sept. 28 without paying his bill. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Chanatell Delacruz, 34, of Geneseo, is charged with DWI. Delacruz was stopped on Sept. 23 by a Batavia patrol officer at an undisclosed time, at an undisclosed location. She was arraigned and released.

Ronald W Lewis, 35, of Spencerport, was arrested on Sept. 23 on an arrest warrant issued by City Court. Lewis was initially arrested on July 7 and charged with petit larceny after allegedly stealing merchandise from Tim Hortons. He was issued an appearance ticket. The warrant was issued after Lewis allegedly failed to appear in court. After his arrest, he was arraigned and released. Lewis is also charged with the trespass. On Sept. 24, Lewis allegedly refused to leave UMMC. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Isaiah L Poole, 23, of Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd and unlawful publication of intimate images. Poole allegedly violated an order of protection and posted an intimate image of another person on social media. Poole was arraigned in City Court and jailed.

Joseph C Barone, 43, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, speeding, and failure ot keep right. Barone was stopped on Main Street, Batavia, on Sept. 11, at an undisclosed time, by a Batavia patrol officer. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

Andre L. Bryan, 44, of Batavia, is charged with trespass. Bryan is accused of refusing to leave a residence on Elm Street after being told numerous times to leave by the resident. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Ashton L. Mohney, 33, no permanent address, is charged with burglary 1st, assault 2nd, and criminal contempt 2nd. Mohney is accused of violating an order of protection on Sept. 18 by entering a residence on Ross Street and injuring another person with a knife. He was arraigned and jailed on  $2,500 bail, $5,000 bond, or $25,000 partially secured bond. 

William B Coley, 53, of Albion, is charged with petit larceny. Coley is accused of shoplifting from the 7-Eleven on East Main Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Tony Robert Graber, 44, of East Avenue, Marilla, is charged with burglary 2nd, criminal contempt 1st, and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Graber is accused of entering a residence in the Town of Batavia at 9 pm. on Sept. 20 in violation of an order of protection and of possessing fentanyl at the time was his arrest. Graber was arraigned and ordered held without bail.

James Darrell Hooten, 35, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and grand larceny 4th. Hooten is accused of using the debit card of another person without permission on Sept. 3 at  1:44 p.m. He was arrested on Oct. 13. At arraignment, an order of protection was issued.

Terry Duanne Wilcoxen, 43, of Sandpit Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Wilcoxen was arrested by Deputy Zachary Hoy following a motor vehicle accident reported at 4:59 p.m. on Oct. 12 on Sandpit Road, Alexander. Wilcoxen was issued appearance tickets.

Michael Irving White, 19, of Day Street, Albion, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd and criminal trespass 2nd.  White is accused of entering a residence on Oct. 9 at 6:11 a.m. on Freeman Road, Byron, without permission and causing more than $250 in damage. He was arraigned. His release status is unknown.

Jessie B. Joy, 27, of Telephone Road, Pavilion, is charged with DWI and failure to yield the right of way on a left-hand turn. Joy was arrested by Deputy Ryan Mullen following a motor vehicle accident reported a 1 p.m. on Oct. 16 at the intersection of Route 20 and Route 63, Pavlion.  He was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital following the accident, where he was issued an appearance ticket.

Debra Stanley, 59, of Lakeview Park, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Stanley is accused of shoplifting from Ulta Beauty on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, at 4:06 p.m., Oct. 18. At the time of her arrest she was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance. She was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Elwin Eugene Drew, 40, of Shanks Road, Alabama. Drew is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Drew was stopped at 2:13 p.m. on Oct. 15 on Sliker Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Zachary Hoy. He was issued traffic ticket and released.

Vietnam vet seeks recovery of bike, his only mode of transportation

By Howard B. Owens
stolen bike

Retired postal carrier and wounded retired Vietnam veteran Larry Fuchs reports that his German bike, valued at $2,000 was stolen on Friday.

He said the bike is his only mode of transportation.  

He reported the theft to the police he said but was hoping members of the public might be able to provide information to recover the bike.

"It would mean the world to me to recover my only transportation," Fuchs said. 

Information that may assist in the recovery of the bike can be submitted to Batavia PD at (585) 345-6350 or the submit a tip feature at www.bataviapolice.org.

Grand Jury Report: Man accused of fleeing from police in July, barricading self in apartment, indicted

By Howard B. Owens
arrest of akeem gibson batavia 2023
Akeem R. Gibson being taken into custody by law enforcement at 335 Bank St., Batavia, on July 30.
File Photo by Howard Owens.

Akeem R. Gibson is indicted on counts of reckless endangerment in the first degree, a Class D felony, fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, a Class A misdemeanor, speeding, a traffic infraction, criminal trespass in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor, resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor, and obstructing governmental administration, a Class A misdemeanor. Gibson is accused of driving a vehicle into oncoming traffic on July 30 on Walkers Corners Road, Town of Byron, showing depraved indifference to human left, creating a grave risk of death to another person. He is accused of fleeing a patrol car at speeds that exceeded 25 mph over the posted speed limit. He is accused of entering an apartment at 335 Bank St., Batavia, and remaining unlawfully in the dwelling. He is accused of trying to prevent a police officer from lawfully placing him under arrest. 

Nahzaire N. Murray and Dezirae J. Martin are indicted on counts of grand larceny in the third degree, a Class D felony and of conspiracy in the fifth degree. Murray and Martin are accused of working together is steal property from Ulta Beauty in Batavia that was valued at more than $3,000.

Cody A. Bush is indicted on counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class D felony and menacing in the second degree. Bush is accused of using a knife to cause another person to be in reasonable fear of serious physical injury or death on April 22 in the City of Batavia. 

Brianna N. Greene is indicted on a count of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a Class E felony. Greene is accused of stealing property from Dick's Sporting Goods on Jan. 8 that was valued in excess of $1,000. In a separate indictment, Greene is also charged with one count of bail jumping in the second degree for alleged failure to appear in Town of Batavia Court on Dec. 20 on a felony charge.

Jamie L. Broadbent is indicted on five counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a Class E felony, and one count of petit larceny,  a Class A misdemeanor. Broadbent is accused of stealing a wallet containing five credit cards that were issued in the name of another person.

Russell R. Lawrence is indicted on counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a Class E felony, reckless endangerment in the first degree, a Class D felony, and unlawful fleeting from police,  a Class A misdemeanor. Lawrence is accused of possessing a stolen 2005 Chevrolet Silverado with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of the property on June 3, and of demonstrating depraved indifference to human life by recklessly driving a motor vehicle through an intersection in Le Roy, nearly colliding with another vehicle that was lawfully in the intersection, and of fleeing a patrol vehicle at speeds that exceeded by the speed limit by at least 25 mph.

Christopher S. Usselman is indicted on counts of criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class E felony and obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor.  Usselman is accused of intentionally damaging a table worth more than $250 that belonged to another person on April 18 and while at the Genesee County Jail on April 18 of trying to prevent government officials from performing their duties.

Robert D. Griffen is indicted on counts of DWI, a Class E felony and criminal mischief in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor. Griffen is accused of driving drunk in a 2006 Ford on Ellsworth Avenue, Batavia, on July 19, and of intentionally damaging a wall in an interview room at the Batavia Police Department headquarters.

Law and Order: Landlords in Batavia accused of illegal eviction

By Howard B. Owens

Caroline R. Salemi, 87, of Ellicott Avenue, and Timothy A. Burch, 61, of Ellicott Avenue, are charged with unlawful eviction and petit larceny. Salemi and Burch are accused of removing a tenant's property from an apartment and moving in another tenant without properly evicting the tenant. They also allegedly disposed of some of the tenant's property. 

Warren Thomas Cotton, 46, no permanent address, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Cotton was allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine after deputies and troopers located a disabled vehicle on Route 33 in Stafford at 10:31 on Sept. 24. Cotton was a passenger in the vehicle and was allegedly found to have a warrant for his arrest. He was held in the Genesee County Jail pending arraignment.

Marcelis Arroyo, no age or residence provided, and Eliezer Morales, no age or residence provided, are both charged with petit larceny. Arroyo and Morales are accused of stealing something at Darien Lake Theme Park on Sept. 23.  Both were issued appearance tickets.

Tony Robert Graber, 44, of East Avenue, Marilla, is charged with burglary 2nd and criminal contempt 1st. Graber is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection at 1:45 p.m. on Sept. 6. He was ordered held without bail.

Joel D. Prouty, 37, of Thomas Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Prouty is accused of contacting a person in violation of a stay-away order of protection via phone calls while in the Genesee County Jail. Prouty was arraigned in City Court and returned to the jail.

Gregory Gatson, Jr., 33, of Magee Avenue, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and speeding.  Gatson was stopped at 12:55 a.m. on Sept. 30 on Route 33 in Stafford by Deputy Ryan Mullen. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Johnny Burton Koonce, 33, of Conlon Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Koonce is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection at 2:38 a.m. on Oct. 3 at a location on Conlon Road, Le Roy. He was helped pending arraignment.

Joseph Frank Kosnik, 54, of Maple Road, Corfu, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle 3rd. Kosnik is accused of operating a truck without the owner's permission at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 3 on Treadeasy Drive in Batavia. He was ordered to appear in court at a later date.

Jason M. Knobloch, 53, of Pembroke, is charged with DWI/alcohol or drugs. Knobloch was stopped by State Police in the Town of Pembroke at 11:14 p.m. on Oct. 3. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Ronald T. Bliss, 45, of Cheektowaga, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Bliss was arrested in connection with an incident reported at 10:51 p.m. on Oct. 2 in the Town of Pavilion. he was issued an appearance ticket. The State Police withheld further information about the case.

Driver of car that fled from police Sunday morning not yet located, public input sought

By Howard B. Owens
checking vin number
An officer checks the VIN of a vehicle from a chase that stopped at 5 Summit before the suspect fled on foot.
Photo by Howard Owens

A suspect who fled from a Batavia police patrol attempting to make a traffic stop at Ellicott Street and Liberty Street was not located following an early Sunday morning search in the area of Washington Avenue and Summit Street.

At 12:25 a.m., an officer observed a Ford Edge that was facing south in the northbound lane, according to Det. Eric Hill, in his role as public information officer for Batavia PD. When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, it ran a red light and sped away.

There was a short pursuit when the driver apparently lost control trying to negotiate a turn from East Main Street onto Summit Street, stopping in the driveway of 5 Summit St. 

The suspect exited the vehicle and fled on foot, running north through backyards, and was last seen by an officer heading west on Washington Avenue in the area of 221 Washington Ave.

The suspect was described as black, approximately 30 years old, wearing a plaid jacket.

A perimeter was established with patrols stationed at Washington and Summit, Bank and Washington, Bank and North, and North and Summit.  A K-9 was deployed for the search.

At 2:18 a.m., the search was halted without officers locating the suspect.

Hill said the vehicle is valid and has not been reported stolen.

Anyone with information or in the area of the perimeter is asked to check their cameras and contact Batavia PD at 585-345-6350. 

(Initial Report)

Sheriff's Office looking for person of interest in hit-and-run in Batavia Downs parking lot

By Howard B. Owens
person of interest batavia downs parking lot accident

UPDATE: The Sheriff's Office reports that it has identified the person in the photo.  No further information was released.

Press release:

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is looking to identify a person of interest in a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident that occurred on Oct. 4 at around 6:20 p.m. in the parking lot of Batavia Downs and Gaming. 

The operator of the vehicle was driving a dark-colored pickup truck.

Any information can be forwarded to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office attention Deputy Jenna Ferrando at jenna.ferrando@co.genesee.ny.us or by contacting the non-emergency dispatch line at (585) 343-5000

Police in pursuit of fleeing suspect in area of Summit Street

By Howard B. Owens
checking vin number
An officer checks the VIN of a vehicle identified as the suspect vehicle in a pursuit in Batavia. The plates may have been switched on the vehicle. The operator fled from the vehicle after stopping in a driveway on Summit Street, across the street from St. Joe's. He apparently lost control trying to negotiate the turn from East Main onto Summit.
Photo by Howard Owens.

A pursuit that started on the Southside of Batavia is now a foot chase in the area of Summit Street.

The vehicle may have struck a building on Jackson Street, and the suspect continued to Jackson, South Jackson, Maple, East Main, and now Summit.

The suspect, described as a black male with a ball cap is now west on Washington Avenue.

UPDATE 12:36 p.m.: The subject is also said to be wearing a plaid-style jacket.

UPDATE 1:43 a.m.: The search is ongoing, involving patrols from Batavia PD and the Sheriff's Office. There is nobody available on scene who can provide an update about the case. Communication has been moved to a secure channel.  So, it will be unlikely we can provide any further updates tonight. The search is generally in the area of Summit and Washington. 

tire markings on pavement
Photo showing the skid marks from the vehicle as a result of the operator apparently losing control.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Police car damaged on Holland Avenue during high-speed pursuit

By Howard B. Owens
damaged police car batavia
Reader-submitted photo of a police car damaged by a fleeing suspect during a high-speed chase that went down Holland Avenue, Batavia.

In a pursuit that reportedly started with the theft of merchandise from Ulta Beauty, a Batavia PD patrol car was struck and damaged on Holland Avenue at around 5 p.m. on Friday.

The suspect vehicle was later spotted on Park Road and was headed toward the Thruway.

Police communications are on a secure channel, and Batavia PD has yet to release further information.

Man reportedly dragged by car in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

A man reportedly sustained abrasions and a possible dislocated shoulder after being dragged by a vehicle in Corfu.

The vehicle is reportedly heading east and Batavia patrols have been notified.  The driver is described as a darker-skinned Middle Eastern man.

Corfu Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched to Route 77 and Route 33. Law enforcement is on scene.

Three college students accused of beating classmate over alleged Facebook messages

By Howard B. Owens
quant
Diantha Danish Diarha Quandt

After one resident of College Village in Batavia accused another resident Sept. 24 of sending a message via Facebook to her aunt, she and two other young women allegedly jumped the female victim.

The victim reported sustaining a head injury and bruised ribs.

The three suspects were all charged with assault in the second degree.

ford
Indya Denira Ford

According to a deposition provided Deputy Jonathan Dimmig, who investigated the case with Deputy Nicholas Chamoun, the victim was in her dorm room at 8:05 p.m. on Sept. 24 when her roommate told her somebody was at the front door to see her.

According to police documents, the three women at the door were Diantha Danish Diarha Quandt, 19, whom the victim said she only knows as "DiDi," and Indya Denira Ford, 22, and Evedshardeny Sealliah Domacasse, 18.

All three were charged following an investigation and all three reportedly reside at College Village.

Ford claims the victim started the fight and that she and Domacasse tried to break it up.

cdomacasse
Evedshardeny Sealliah Domacasse

The victim told Dimmig that she stepped outside, at the request of Quandt, to talk.  She said her statement, "DiDi kept asking me if I sent something to her aunt through Facebook. I told her no and that I didn't understand her."

At that point, the victim's roommate came out of the dorm room and the victim said she told her roommate that everything was fine and she could go back in side.

"The girls kept asking me if I sent DiDi's aunt messages, which denied," the victim stated. 

A third person reportedly told DiDi that the victim had contacted her aunt and Quandt got that person on a speaker phone and that person stated the victim did contact Quandt's aunt.

Quandt then, according to the statement, set her phone and other items on the window sill near where they were standing.

"I put my hands in my head," she said. "While I had my head in my hands, I was able to see DiDi raise her arm as though she was going to hit me.  I then felt something hit the back of my head repeatedly. When I felt the first hit, I dropped to my knees and shielded my head and neck. I felt multiple people kicking me and pulling my hair. I stayed quiet and didn't fight back.  I began to feel dizzy and then (the roommate) came back out and began to push the girls off me."

She continued, "All three girls began laughing and kicking my phone and other property."

That night, she went to ER at UMMC to get evaluated for a continuous headache, dizziness, and nausea. 

She was told she sustained a closed head injury and bruised ribs. 

After she returned home, she tried to sleep in a temporary dorm room but when she laid down, she realized she couldn't lay her head on her left side due to pain in her left ear and neck. 

"The following day, my body felt sore all over. I still had a headache, and I was still suffering from nausea and dizziness," she wrote.

According to police documents, Ford told Dimmig that she and her friends were playing Uno when "DiDi" looked at her phone and started crying and ran out the door. She and Domacasse followed her, according to the statement. She said they tried to calm her down. 

"She just kept saying, 'I wanna have a conversation with her,'" according to the document.

Ford reportedly told Dimmig that Quandt and the victim were talking and that for "30 seconds I was froze," and then, the victim, she said, jumped at Quandt. 

"In a blink of an eye, they were fighting."

She claimed that she and Domacasse tried to break up the fight.

Quandt, Domacasse, and Ford were arrested the following day. All three were arraigned and ordered held on bail.

Sex trafficking case may be related to FBI raid of home on Pearl Street Road

By Howard B. Owens

Following a raid by the FBI on a residence in Batavia Wednesday, two men have been arraigned in U.S. District Court on a sex trafficking indictment, including Joseph Barsuk.

The listed owner of the residence at 3604 South Pearl Street Road, Batavia, according to county tax records, is Barsuk Buffalo Properties LLC, and records list Joseph Barsuk Jr. as a former owner of the property.

Barsuk and Brian Rosenthal are indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. Barsuk is also accused of sex trafficking by coercion.

On the first count of the indictment, Barsuk and Rosenthal are accused of working together, and perhaps with others, to "knowingly recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, obtain" sex workers for financial gain.

Barsuk is accused of using force, threats of force, fraud and coercion to get a victim, referred to as "Victim 1," in paid sex work.

The Buffalo News reported today that the case may be linked to an investigation of  Pharaoh's Gentlemen's Club in Buffalo. Rosenthal is reportedly a long-time employee of the club.

North Carolina man arrested locally for illegal AR-15, charged federally, sentenced to time served

By Howard B. Owens
Remote video URL

A North Carolina man suspected of extremist ties and caught in Genesee County in March 2022 with an illegal firearm and subsequently charged by federal law enforcement was sentenced on Wednesday to time served.

Michael Alan Jones, who reportedly had ties to white supremacist groups, served 10 months in federal custody after his arrest in by deputies Kenneth Quackenbush and Nicholas Chamoun, who relentlessly questioned Jones and a companion during a traffic stop on School Road in Le Roy after a vehicle driven by Jones tried to make apparent evasive moves.

It turned out Jones did not have the proper license plate on the vehicle he was driving, giving the officers the authority to impound the car and inventory its contents. While compiling the inventory, they discovered an illegal AR-15.

The video of his arrest, above, is edited from body-worn camera footage obtained by The Batavian in February through a Freedom of Information Law request filed with the Sheriff's Office.

Once the FBI learned of the arrest of Jones, an agent with the Joint Terrorism Task Force responded to the Sheriff's Office on Park Road and questioned him.

The FBI took over the case and filed federal charges against Jones because he was a convicted felon -- in North Carolina -- who crossed state lines in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Jones admitted to the Federal charges in December and was eventually released under supervision, returning to his parents' home in North Carolina, pending sentencing. He was apparently released, in part, because of a serious medical condition involving his leg.

In a letter to Judge David G. Larimer, Jones said the release probably enabled him to receive the care he needed to keep his leg.

A probation officer also noted for the court record that Jones was in full compliance with the terms of his release.

In his letter, Jones admitted he had made mistakes.

"I would like to apologize for my actions that have led me to your courtroom," Jones wrote to the judge. "I have had time to reflect on what circumstances led me there and what thought processes led me to believe I was doing the right thing, and I can see now that I was simply wrong. There is no justifying it. We have laws in place for the betterment of society, and it is not up to me or anyone on my level to try and decide which ones are to be followed or not. I regret the steps I took that led to us being in my position today, but I can honestly tell you that I have learned from my mistakes, and I have no desire or intention of ever putting myself in a situation to end up in any situation like this again."

UPDATE 5:30 p.m. Since publication of this story, The Batavian has obtained a copy sentencing memo presented to the court by Federal Public Defender Steven Slawinski in support of a time-served sentence for his client. In it, Slawinski states that Jones, who had a leg injury prior to his arrest, was in danger of losing his leg and was barely able to walk because of inadequate medical care while in the custody of the Monroe County Jail. The wound had become infected, and Jones had been denied antibiotics in jail. Slawinski asked the court to consider the possibility of Jones again not receiving adequate health care if he were incarcerated again. 

Slawinski also confirms that Jones was a former member of Proud Boys, which Jones joined when he was a teenager.  Over time, his views changed, and Jones became a paid FBI informant. Jones infiltrated the Charlotte chapter of Proud Boys and provided the FBI with "valuable information" about the organization.  He writes, "Jones has since matured and no longer harbors these views. In fact, renouncing these views was a prerequisite for his parents allowing him to come back to their home after he was released from jail."

Slawinski said Jones is considering becoming a trucker or going back to college to earn a degree in agriculture.

Previously:

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