crime

After pleading guilty to an attempted burglary felony on Monday, Christopher L. Taylor decided he didn't want to admit to a prior felony that could impact his sentencing, so he tried to withdraw his plea.

That motion needs to be made in writing.

As a result of believing he didn't adequately understand the consequence of admitting to a prior conviction, he asked for a new attorney. Taylor should have a new assigned council by the time of his next court appearance next week.

In pleading guilty, Taylor agreed to pay restitution to his victim and he signed an order of protection.

His plea agreement would have obligated him to serve at least one and a half to three years in prison, avoiding a potential two to five years.

When Judge Melissa Cianfrini started the predicate felony process, a standard proceeding for any defendant who enters a guilty plea when they have a prior felony conviction, Taylor asked to discuss the matter with his attorney, Victor T. Mui.  At one point, Cianfrini mentioned she could hear what he was telling his attorney and suggested he lower his voice.  A short time later, she offered to let the two men meet in a conference room.

After the meeting, Taylor was unwilling to admit to the previous conviction.

According to documents read by Cianfrini, Taylor was convicted of attempted burglary 2nd in November 2016.

Taylor was indicted by a grand jury on a count of third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony. He stole property valued at more than $3,000 on Jan. 16 in the Town of Pembroke.

Murder suspect Nicholas Marten Maher, 37. accused of killing his 69-year-old father in his Oakfield home on Oct. 18, appeared in court today before Judge Michael Mohun, as the judge and the attorneys discussed procedures in the case. 

District Attorney Kevin Finnell said he is ready for trial but he understood that Public Defender Jerry Ader was awaiting reports that could have a bearing on how the case might proceed and what motions might be made.

Ader said that was correct and acknowledged receipt of the required discovery (potential evidence in the case) and everything seemed to be in order but the discovery material is still under review.

Mohun set May 20 at 2 p.m. for further proceedings.

Martin D. Maher was found dead in his home at 32 Drake St. after deputies were dispatched to his house for a welfare check at 10:57 a.m. Oct. 18 because family members had been unable to contact Maher.

Nicholas was later located in Erie County.  He is being held without bail.

The types of reports Ader is awaiting were not specified but they could have a bearing on whether there is a trial, as well as whether a plea deal is reached.  At the March 20 hearing, the court and attorneys will agree on how to proceed with the case.

There will be no taxpayer-funded trial on criminal mischief charges for a man already serving a life sentence on a jury-trial conviction for attempted murder and arson.

Judge Michael Mohun dismissed the charges against Plush Dozier this morning at the formal request of District Attorney Kevin Finnell.

Finnell cited the inability of Dozier to pay restitution, the cost of a trial, and the fact that, given how sentencing works in New York, if convicted, Dozier would be given credit for time served, since it would run concurrent to the term he's serving now. That means he would get no additional prison time (which could be a factor if he became eligible for parole).

"It's in the public interest not to hold a trial," Finnell said.

The decision apparently came at Mohun's suggestion during a conference on the case, Defense Attorney Fred Rarick suggested during the case and reiterated to a reporter as he was leaving the courtroom.  He said it was the right thing to do and saved the taxpayers the expense of transporting Dozier daily during a trial from Sullivan County.

Mohun, a county court judge in Wyoming County, has been assisting Genesee County since January while also mentoring new County Court Judge Melissa Cianfrini because of a backlog of cases. He inherited more than 80 cases that were more than years old -- going back to Cianfrini's time in the District Attorney's Office.  Much of the delay in the cases can be attributed to COVID-related shutdowns and slowdowns.

He said after court that the last of the cases will be cleared from his calendar on Monday and his duties in helping to catch up Genesee County will be completed. 

Dozier was convicted of attempted murder and arson in October. Dozier intentionally set fire on June 15, 2018, to the house at 35 Maple St., Batavia, in an attempt to kill a person inside the residence.

He appeared in court this morning, accompanied by three state prison guards, including a sergeant. Dozier was dressed in a green state prison jumpsuit, wearing on his head a white knit cap with a band of copper and black stripes knitted in and around it.  Four people, friends and family, sat in court in support of Dozier.  After the hearing, they thanked Mohun for his kindness in handling the case.

It was alleged that on Aug. 4, 2018, Dozier kicked out a plate of glass in a holding cell at the Genesee County Jail, which caused more than $5,000 in damage. He's also accused of causing more than $250 of damage to a Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle on Aug. 20, 2018.  That lead to charges of criminal mischief 3rd and criminal mischief 4th. 

Finnell said he consulted with Sheriff William Sheron on the dismissal and Sheron agreed with the decision.

Sheron said this afternoon, "Dozier is serving a life sentence, therefore in the interest of justice, we agree with the dismissal of the charges."

Garlyn Maurice Gause, 42, of Brookhaven Terrace, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, tampering with physical evidence, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and insufficient turn signal. Gause was stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 10:20 p.m., April 24, on Swan Street, Batavia, but Deputy Nicholas Charmoun.  Deputy James Stack and K-9 "Rayzor" responded to the stop. Rayzor reportedly alerted on the vehicle. Upon a search of the vehicle, the deputies allegedly located narcotics in the vehicle.  Gause is accused of possession of narcotics with the intent to sell the drugs. Gause is accused of attempting to conceal evidence after he was in custody. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held without bail. 

Lourdes M. Castaneda, 33, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI. Castaneda was stopped by State Police on Transit Road, Lancaster, and troopers reportedly determined that she exhibit signs of impairment.  Castaneda is accused of failing a field sobriety test.  She was processed at SP Clarence where she allegedly registered at .13 BAC on a breath test. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Lisa Marie Bautista, 37, of East Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Bautista was arrested on a warrant by Le Roy PD on April 21 in connection with an incident reported at 8:28 p.m., Nov. 19. She was released on an appearance ticket. Bautista is also charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. She was arrested in connection with an incident reported at 5:36 p.m., April 25 on East Main Street, Le Roy.  No further details released.

Jeremy Munn, 40, of Lincoln Avenue, Le Roy, was arrested on two warrants on charges of menacing 2nd and criminal mischief 4th following a traffic stop by State Police. He was arraigned in Town of Le Roy Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Kyle Thomas Purdy, 26, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Purdy is accused of violating an order of protection at 3:30 p.m., April 24, at a location on West Main Street, Le Roy. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Michael Zachery Vigrillo, 24, of Smith Street, Buffalo, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Vigrillo is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection by contacting the protected party at 11:48 p.m., pril 25, at a location on State Street Road, Batavia. He was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and ordered to reappear on May 24.

Rufus Garrett Johnson, 28, of Park Way, Chili, is charged with petit larceny.  Johnson is accused of stealing multiple items from Walmart at 9:36 a.m. on April 24. Johnson was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Cameron J. Sokolowski, 29, of Batavia, he's charged with harassment 2nd, menacing 2nd, unlawful imprisonment 2nd and criminal mischief 4th.  Sokolowski allegedly threatened a woman with a knife and threatened to kill her. He's also accused of damaging property and not allowing the woman to leave the room. Sokolowski was arraigned in city court and released under supervision. CLARIFICATION: Sokolowski was originally arraigned on April 8st and held on  $20,000 bail, $40,000 bond and $80,000 partially secured bail.  He was then arraigned on April 21st on four separate misdemeanors and one violation in City Court and held on bail of $100 bail each on two separate commitments. He was not released under supervision. (Source, Jail Superintendent William Zipfel).

Tonya M. Weber, 38, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Weber is accused of stealing from a business on East Main Street, Batavia. Weber was issued an appearance ticket.

Lakeisha A. Gibson, 35, of Albion, is charged with assault 3rd, menacing 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, endangering the welfare of a child. Gibson is accused of hitting another person in the face, causing an injury, and threatening to stab that person with a pair of scissors. Gibson was arraigned and City Court and released under supervision.

Robie Dersham, 53, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Dershamwas stopped by State Police at 12:38 a.m., April 24, at a location in the Town of Bethany. Dersham was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Anthony J. Gonzales, 30, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Gonzales was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 7:33 PM, April 22. Gonzales was issued an appearance ticket. No further information released. 

While an old, rusted firearm that was fished from a creek in Oakfield is still at a police lab, nothing of value has been gleaned from it thus far, said Chief Deputy Joseph Graff.

The "unusual catch" was snagged by some people magnet fishing on May 22, 2020, in the area of the 6000 block of Fisher Road in Oakfield.

The Sheriff's Office took possession of the firearm with an interest in seeing if it might be tied to any crime in the area. There has been no public statement on what crime it might possibly be tied to.

A few days later, Graff told The Batavian, "It is very rusted/corroded and not identifiable in its present state."

At the time, Graff said they would be looking for anything identifiable that could be restored.

A Batavia man is in custody and accused of criminal possession of a weapon 2nd following a traffic stop at 12:29 p.m. Monday, when he was allegedly found in possession of a loaded revolver.

While Lorenzo Baker, no age provided, was being stopped by a patrol officer, the Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at his residence, 36 Dellinger Ave. upper, as part of an ongoing investigation.  

Police say that additional evidence was found in Baker's residence.

Given the ongoing nature of this investigation, police say they are not releasing further information about the nature of the investigation or what was located in the residence.

Baker was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $25,000 cash bail, $50,000 bond, or a partially secured bond of $75,000. 

Baker is scheduled to appear in court again at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Reader-submitted photos.

Marco Antonio Hernandez, 22, if South Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal sexual act 1st and rape 1st.  Hernandez was arrested and charged in relation to an incident reported at 11 PM on July 30 on South Street in LeRoy. No further details released. He was ordered held on $5,000 bail.

Peter Joseph Gravante, 33, of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with bail jumping 3rd, Gravante is accused of missing a court date in Town of Byron Court. Gravante was given an appearance ticket and released.

Cameron Jacob Sokolowski, 29, of River Street, Batavia, is charged with bail jumping 3rd.  Following his arrest, Sokolowski was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Justin Micheal Conner, 29, of Franklin Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, speeding, and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Conner was stopped at 12:56 a.m. on April 9 on Clinton Street Road, Batavia by Deputy Ewert Morgan. Conner was issued appearance tickets and released. 

Brenda Marie King, 57, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny.  King is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart at 2:39 p.m. on April 16. King was released on an appearance ticket.

Jamal Cineque Robinson, 19, of Gilbert Street, Le Roy, is charged with assault 3rd and obstruction of governmental administration. Robinson was allegedly involved in a dispute at 7:45 AM on April 14 at a residence on Gilbert Street. As a result of an altercation of a victim reportedly sustained a head injury. Robinson was a range in Town of Le Roy Court, an order of protection was issued, and he was released on an appearance ticket. 

Andrew Scott Lehman, 31, no address provided, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to yield right of way on the left turn. Lehman was stopped at 6:50 PM on April 5 on East Main Road in Le Roy by Le Roy patrol officer John Ceneviva. He was released on traffic tickets.

Thomas P. Scanlan, 28, of Le Roy, is charged with driving while ability impaired/under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving the wrong way on a one-way street, and driving in violation of a conditional license. Scanlan was stopped by a Batavia patrol officer on North Spruce Street at 7:40 p.m., Jan. 30, and arrested on April 9. He was issued traffic tickets and released. 

Jeffrey E. Schnettler, 50, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to use designated lane, and failure to keep right. He was stopped at 1:48 a.m. on April 9 on Pearl Street by a Batavia patrol officer. He was issued and released. 

Crystal A. Mounts, 44, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, conspiracy 6th, and failure to appear. Mounts was arrested on a total of six warrants out of City Court including ballistic chargers. Mounts was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance.

Samuel R. Baudanza, 25, of Wyoming, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Baudanza was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident report at 12:18 a.m. on April 16 in the Town of Le Roy. He was released on an appearance ticket. No further details released. 

Rodney W, Willis, 41, of Basom, is charged with assault 1st. Willis was arrested by State Police on April 14 in connection with an incident reported at 3:28 a.m. on February 20. He was ordered held in jail. No further details released.

Iverson M. Davis, 20, of Rochester, is charged with grand larceny 3rd and eight counts of possession of a forged instrument 2nd.  Davis was arrested on April 12 in connection with an incident reported on March 30 at 10 a.m. in the Town of Batavia. He was released on an appearance ticket. No further details released. 

Local law enforcement have two people in custody after a larceny incident at a store on Veteran's Memorial Drive on Saturday afternoon. 

A black Honda Odessey minivan was attempting to evade police as it left the area of Veteran's Memorial Drive. This led to a short pursuit through the City of Batavia.

The pursuit ended at Porter Avenue and West Main Street when the minivan became stuck at the intersection due to the traffic on West Main.

According to local law enforcement, the driver of the minivan then fled on foot from the van and was later apprehended on Washington Avenue by Batavia patrol officers.

A female passenger remained inside the minivan.

Both are in custody.

The minivan was towed from the scene.

Story and photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

A 29-year-old man in Basom has been charged with attempted murder.

Jarrett C. Coniglio, of Bloomingdale Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with three other felonies and two misdemeanors.

He was arrested after deputies responded to a residence on Sandhill Road on the reservation for a reported assault. 

He is accused of attacking a male victim with a knife causing serious physical injury. 

Coniglio was arraigned in Town of Alabama Court and ordered held without bail.

In addition to attempted murder 2nd, a Class B felony, Coniglio is charged with:

• Assault 1st, a Class B felony;
• Criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, a Class D felony;
• Intimidating a witness 3rd, a Class E felony;
• Criminal mischief 4th, an A misdemeanor; and,
• Menacing 3rd, a B misdemeanor.

The incident was investigated by Erik Andre, assisted by Sgt. James Diehl, Investigator Kevin Forsyth, Investigator Ryan DeLong, Investigator Howard Carlson, Investigator Chad Minuto, Investigator Joseph Loftus, Sgt. Mathew Clor, Deputy James Stack, Deputy Aryton Blankenburg, Deputy Ryan Mullen, and Deputy NicholasChamoun.

Kristopher Robert Almeter, 34, of Union Hill Drive, Spencerport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Almeter was arrested following an investigation into a motor vehicle accident reported at 9:01 p.m., April 11, in the area of 7405 Reuben Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation.  The accident was investigated by Deputy Zachary Hoy. Almeter was released on appearance tickets.

Jordan Alexander Brown, 20, no address provided, is charged with criminal mischief.  Brown is accused of damaging the property of another person. The damage was reported at 4:59 p.m., April 13, at a location on Lewiston Road, Alabama. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Beth Ann Jeffres, 40, of Pavilion Warsaw Road, Covington, is charged with filing false instrument 2nd. Jeffres is accused of providing a false supporting deposition on March 21 at a location on School Street, Batavia.  She allegedly provided another supporting deposition on April 7 recanting her original statement. She was released on an appearance ticket. 

James Joshua Preedom, 37, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Preedom is accused of harassing a person at 6 a.m., April 8, at a location on West Main Street, Batavia. He was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Zachary S. Natale is indicated on a count of burglary in the second degree, a Class C violent felony, and two counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a Class E felony. Natale is accused of entering a dwelling on Elm Street in the City of Batavia on May 7, 2017, with the intent of committing a crime in the dwelling. He is accused of stealing firearms, including a Savage Arms A17 bolt action, Savage Arms Axis .223, Kel-Tec .556, and a Marlin Firearms 3030 lever action. He's accused of stealing property with a value in excess of $1,000.

Kenrey D. Benjamin is indicted on two counts of burglary in the first degree, a Class B violent felony, a count of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class D felony, and attempted assault in the first degree, Class C violent felony. Benjamin is accused of knowingly entering a dwelling, an apartment on Lake Street in Le Roy,  without permission and remaining in it on Oct 17, with the intent of committing a crime in the dwelling and of causing physical injury to an occupant of the dwelling. He is accused of using a knife against another person. He is accused of attempting is permanently disfigure another person.

Marcus T. Hill is indicted on counts of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony. Hill is accused of driving a 2006 Hummer HU3 on Clinton Street in the City of Batavia when he knew or should have known that his privilege to drive had been suspended or revoked on at least ten separate dates.

Jaequele M. Tomlin is indicted on counts of criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class E felony, and harassment in the second degree. Tomlin is accused of damaging the property of another person, a television and television stand, on Nov. 4, at a location in the City of Batavia. Tomlin is accused of having physical contact, or threatening to do so, with another person in an attempt to harass, annoy, or alarm the other person.

Thomas J. Wolcott is indicted on a count of criminal contempt in the first degree, a Class E felony. Wolcott is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection while on Central Avenue, City of Batavia, on Oct. 28.

Raven M. Spikes, 20, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful dissemination of intimate images. Spikes allegedly posted a video of sexual conduct on social media at 5 p.m., March 20. She was issued an appearance ticket.

James R. Tillery, 49, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Tillery is accused of damaging property at a restaurant on East Main Street, Batavia, at 8:25 p.m., March 28. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Gary Philip Castronova, Jr., 36, of Dewitt Road, Webster, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, unlicensed driver, aggravated unlicensed driver 3rd., and insufficient turn signal. Castronova was stopped at 8:05 p.m., April 8, on East Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Ayrton Blankenberg. He was issued an appearance ticket. Also charged, Heather Nicole Holbrook, 36, of East Main Street, Batavia. She is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and driving with no seat belt. 

Justin Michael Conner, 29, of Franklin Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, speeding, and failure to yield for an emergency vehicle. Conner was stopped at 12:46 a.m., April 9, on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Morgan Ewert. He was released on appearance tickets.

Carrie L. Hensley, 44, of Batavia, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Hensley allegedly refused to return a vehicle to its owner after borrowing it on April 2. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Jacob L. Hernandez, 27, of Batavia, is charged with obscenity 3rd. Hernandez allegedly sent lewd images of himself to another person at 8:20 a.m., March 31. He was arrested by Batavia PD on the charge after a Sheriff's deputy tried to arrest him on a bench warrant and Hernandez allegedly fled on foot into a wooded area where he was later detained. He then turned himself over to Batavia PD. He was ordered held on bail on the new charge as the charge related to the warrant.

Marie I. Frye, 57, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd and endangering the welfare of a child. Frye is accused of punching another person at 8:03 p.m., March 26, while a child was in the room. Frye was arraigned in City Court and released.

Joseph W. Freeman, 37, of Batavia, is charged with failure to stop at a stop sign and obstructing governmental administration. Freeman allegedly fled from police on his bicycle at 4:44 p.m., April 3, during an attempted traffic stop. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Dean C. Siminski, 32, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Siminski is accused of contacting a person at 3:20 p.m., March 29, he was ordered by a court not to contact. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $10,000 bail, $20,000 bond, or $40,000 partially secured bond.

Gina M. Olszewski, 29, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Olszewski was arrested by a Batavia patrol officer following an investigation initiated at 8:28 p.m., March 28, into a possible criminal mischief at a local business. Olszewski was released on traffic tickets.

Nancy L. Lawrence, 69, of Batavia, is charged with soliciting alms on a public street. Lawrence was arrested following a complaint of a person begging for money on Alva Place, Batavia, at 11:30 a.m., March 29. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Matthew W. Kurtz, 52, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Kurtz allegedly had a third-party contact a person he was prohibited from contacting by an order of protection. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Jolene Y. Stevens, 33, of resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Stevens is accused of fighting with police when officers attempted to arrest her ona warrant at 12:03 p.m., March 4. Stevens was arraigned in City Court and released.

Robert J. Ritchey, 58, of Oakfield, is charged with two counts of criminal sex act with a child less than 11 years old 1st, three counts of forcible touching, three counts of sex abuse 1st, and three counts of acting in a manner injurious to a child. Ritchey was charged following an investigation by State Police after a report was made at 1:17 p.m., April 5. He was ordered held in jail. No further information was released.

Lori A. Green, 59, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Green is accused of stealing something in the Town of Batavia at 2:21 p.m., April 9. She was issued an appearance ticket.  No further information was released by State Police.

Jared C. Kostrewa, 28, of North Tonawanda, is charged with felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of.08 or greater. Kostrewa was stopped by State Police at 2:23 a.m., April 8, in the Town of Darien. She was released on an appearance ticket.

A 58-year-old Oakfield resident is being accused of driving a pickup truck while drunk that struck a power pole in the area of 7797 Lewiston Road, Batavia, at 9:06 p.m., Monday, causing traffic to be blocked because of wires down.

Daniel J. Arnold is charged with DWI following an investigation by Deputy David Moore.

Arnold was reportedly driving a black 2019 Chevrolet pickup truck northwest on Route 63 when the vehicle left the east shoulder of the roadway and struck a National Grid pole. The truck then re-entered the roadway and continued north toward the Village of Oakfield.  

The vehicle was located a short time later by Moore.

Arnold is also accused of leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

Previously: Lewiston Road blocked by wires down following an accident

Leslie Harold Michael, Jr., 52, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful imprisonment 2nd and harassment 2nd. Michael is accused of being involved in a dispute with another person at 2 p.m., March 30, at a location on West Main Street, Le Roy, and preventing the person from leaving the scene and holding the person to the ground.  He was released on an appearance ticket.

Kasondra Lynn Hubbard, 36, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Hubbard was charged following a disturbance reported at 8:11 p.m., March 24, at a residence on Myrtle Street, Le Roy. She was ordered to appear in Town of Le Roy Court on April 21 to answer to the charge.

Earl Benson, 33, no address provided, of Byron, is charged with felony DWI, unlicensed driver, no distinctive plate, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and aggravated unlicensed operation 1st. Benson was stopped at 9:33 p.m., March 25, on Bank Street, Le Roy, by Officer John Ceneviva. He was released on traffic tickets.

John Andrew Sprague, 43, address redacted by Sheriff's Office, Oakfield, is charged with sex offender failure to register. Deputy Alexander Hadsall investigated following a complaint that Sprague failed to register email accounts with the Sex Offender Registry. Sprague was arraigned in Town of Oakfield Court and ordered held in jail. The Probation Department assisted in the investigation.

Daniel W. Knauss is indicated on counts of assault on a police officer, a Class C violent felony, assault in the second degree, a Class D violent felony, criminal contempt in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor, criminal contempt in the first degree, a Class E felony, resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor, and two counts of harassment in the second degree. Knauss is accused of assaulting and causing serious physical injury to Trooper Mark Catanzaro while the trooper was attempting to perform his lawful duties during an incident on Sept. 29, in the Town of Pavilion. Knauss is accused of violating an order of protection on Sept. 29 by striking a football out of the hands of a protected person. He is accused of intentionally attempting to prevent his arrest. 

Tarrence Y. Williams is indicted on counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony. Williams is accused of possession of cocaine with the intent to sell on Dec. 16 in the City of Batavia. He is accused of possessing preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic drug, cocaine, with a weight of an eighth of an ounce or more.

Tamaneek T. Perez-Smith is indicted on counts of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, felony DWI, felony driving while ability impaired by drugs, resisting arrest, harassment in the second degree, and circumvention of an interlock device. Perez-Smith is accused of driving a 2010 Dodge on Park Road in the Town of Batavia on Sept. 30, while knowing her license was revoked and of driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. She is accused of intentionally trying to prevent her arrest. He is accused of kicking Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush. She is accused of driving a vehicle without an interlock device as previously ordered by a court.

Tyrone Nathan Thigpen, Sr., 44, of Summit Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated family offense, endangering the welfare of a child, menacing 2nd, and criminal possession of a weapon 4th.  Thigpen was charged after allegedly displaying a rifle during a disturbance in the presence of a woman and her children while on Batavia Elba Townline Road, Batavia, at 3:15 p.m., April 3. Thigpen was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and ordered held without bail.

Mohammad Imran Nasir, 48, of Grandview Drive, Amherst, is charged with possessing 30,000 or more untaxed cigarettes for the purpose of sales and failure to signal a lane change.  Nasir was stopped at 6:53 p.m., March 31, on Route 77 in Pembroke, by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

(name redacted upon request), 47, of Alexander Road, Alexander, is charged with disobeying a mandate. xxxxx is accused of violating an order of protection at 7:20 a.m., March 28, in the Town of Alexander. He was issued an appearance ticket. He is also charged with criminal contempt 2nd for allegedly violating a stay-away order on five different occasions.

Jordan Ellsworth Brodie, 35, of West Bergen Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and driving an uninspected motor vehicle. Brodie was stopped at 2:54 a.m., April 3, on Griswold Road, Le Roy, by Deputy David Moore. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Logan Nathaniel Norcott, 25, of Lockpit Road, Clyde, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. A person filed a complaint with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office that Norcott violated an order of protection at 7:45 p.m., March 24.  Norcott was taken into custody by the State Police in Wayne County and transferred to GCSO custody. He was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Alicia K. Urban, 36, of Batavia, is charged with acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years old, driving while impaired by drugs, and aggravated DWI with a child in the car. Urban was stopped by State Police at 7:49 p.m., March 29, in the Town of Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Sarah P. Lytle, 39, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Lytle is accused of stealing in the Town of Batavia at 6 p.m., April 1. She was arrested by State Police. She was released on an appearance ticket. No further details released.

Trevor T. Cook, 31, of Holley, is charged with felony DWAI/Drugs. Cook was stopped by State Police at 3:02 a.m., April 2, in the Tonawanda Indian Territory. He was issued an appearance ticket. No further information released.

Devin J. Manning, 22, of Le Roy, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Manning was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 4:36 p.m., March 31, in the Town of Le Roy.  He was released on an appearance ticket. No further details were released.

Press release:

The New York State Police will participate in a national crackdown on distracted driving as part of April’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The enforcement effort, called Operation Hang Up, will include increased patrols and checkpoints targeting drivers using electronic devices while behind the wheel. This year’s enforcement detail will run from Monday, April 4, through Monday, April 11, 2022.

Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe distracted driving violations.  These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, “Distracted Driving continues to be a leading factor in motor vehicle crashes. Yet, the deaths and injuries caused by distracted driving are 100 percent preventable. Drivers must be aware of their surroundings and consciously reduce distractions and behaviors that take their attention from the road.  State Police will continue to work toward making New York’s roads safer and we will hold distracted drivers accountable.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,142 people were killed in the United States in distraction-affected crashes in 2020. To help prevent more tragedies, NHTSA recommends the following for motorists:

• If you must send or receive a text, pull over to a safe location and park your car first.
• If you have passengers, appoint a “designated texter” to handle all your texting.
• If you can’t resist the temptation to look at your phone, keep it in the trunk.

Current New York State law includes the following penalties for distracted drivers:

• For a first offense, the minimum fine is $50 and the maximum is $200
• A second offense in 18 months increases the maximum fine to $250
• A third offense in 18 months results in a maximum fine of $450
• Probationary and junior drivers face a 120-day suspension of their license for a first offense, and one-year revocation of their permit or license if a second offense is committed within six months

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is looking for help in identifying a person of interest in a larceny at Kwik Fill which occurred on March 27, 2022, at approximately 11:30 p.m. During the larceny, a bucket of small liquor bottles was taken off the front counter. Anyone with information on the identity of the person in the photos is asked to contact Officer William Yung at (585) 345-6350, the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370.