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4 face felony charges in Medina with cocaine, meth, fentanyl seized
Pictured from left include Jeffrey Ghee, Brennan Callara, Erica Ghee and Terrence Wells
MEDINA – Four people in Medina have been charged today after law enforcement seized over an ounce of cocaine, as well as cocaine packaged for sale, methamphetamine pills and parafluorofentanyl.
The Orleans County Major Felony Crimes Task Force and the FBI, in a joint investigation, executed a search warrant at 746 Church St. in Medina. They also seized digital scales, packaging material and over $1,300 in cash, the Task Force said.
The following, all residents of 746 Church St., were charged:
• Jeffrey Ghee, 39, was charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, intent to sell (Class B felony); one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (Class B felony); one count of tampering with evidence (Class E felony); one count of conspiracy in the fourth degree (Class E felony); and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree (Class A misdemeanor).
Ghee was issued an appearance ticket returning to the Shelby Town Court on Dec. 1. Ghee was taken into federal custody and transported to Rochester to appear in federal court.
• Brennan Callara, 29, was charged with: one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, intent to sell; one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree; one count of conspiracy in the fourth degree; and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.
Callara was issued an appearance ticket returning for Shelby Town Court on Dec. 1. He was transported to Orleans County Jail where he was held on a parole warrant.
• Erika Ghee, 47, was charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, intent to sell; and one count of conspiracy in the fourth degree.
Ghee was issued an appearance ticket for Shelby Town Court on Dec. 1. She was transported to Niagara County on an outstanding arrest warrant.
• Terrance Wells, 42, was charged with one count of conspiracy in the fourth degree.
Wells was issued an appearance ticket for Shelby Town Court on Dec. 1.
Assisting in this investigation was Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, the Medina Police Department, NYS DOCCS Office of Special Investigations, NYS Parole and the State Police.
Further arrests and charges are pending in this investigation, the Task Force stated in a news release.
Rochester man gets 5 years of probation for having cocaine in Albion
ALBION – A Rochester man with no prior criminal history was sentenced to five years of probation in Orleans County Court for having cocaine in Albion.
Tamage Faison, 19, pleaded guilty on June 17 to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 5th degree for having cocaine on March 4.
He could have faced time in state prison, but County Court Judge Sanford Church followed the sentencing parameters in a plea agreement and gave Faison five years of probation. District Attorney Susan Howard also said she supported probation in this case.
“Thank you for the opportunity and for your consideration,” Faison said before he was sentenced.
In other cases in County Court on Wednesday:
• Javon Presley, 37, of Niagara Falls was arraigned on multiple charges after he allegedly broke into a Medina home on Feb. 14 and took a debit card and $970 in cash.
He was arraigned on second-degree burglary, fourth-degree grand larceny, third-degree robbery, and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation.
He entered not guilty pleas to the charges. Presley has posted bail at $2,500.
• The judge found that Raymond Stanley, 50, of Holley violated terms of his probation and could face up to nine months in jail when he is sentenced on Nov. 18.
Stanley has been on probation for petty larceny. He acknowledged he was in an accident on an E-bike because he was “stoned” on April 23, missed four probation appointments, used cocaine, used marijuana three times, used alcohol, and went to Genesee County without probation permission.
• Eric McGill, 43, of Albion was offered a plea deal where he would face up to three years in state prison for making a terrorist threat and one year for criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree. The agreement would be a maximum three-year cap to satisfy the charges.
McGill, formerly of Medina, faces multiple charges from two incidents in June.
On June 13 during the Albion Strawberry Festival 5k/8k race on East State Street, McGill allegedly became angry that East State Street was temporarily closed to traffic due to the race.
He allegedly had a sledgehammer intentionally putting people in fear, according to the DA’s office. McGill allegedly threatened to knock out a recruit police officer that was assisting with traffic control. He also allegedly threatened to drive through the course.
Two days later on June 15, McGill allegedly contacted Orleans Correctional Facility and told someone there he wasn’t afraid to use a gun at the prison. He then allegedly showed up outside the prison and made a pointed gun gesture towards the prison. and not afraid to use gun, made pointed gun gesture toward facility. He had a Byrna less-lethal pistol.
He was charged with displaying a dangerous instrument, making a terroristic threat, criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd and 4th, and aggravated harassment in second degree.
McGill faced new charges from last week when he was entering the building and being screened to go into court. When he went through the metal detector, it alerted to metal. He was asked to take off his belt and allegedly got belligerent with security staff, throwing his belt at an officer and then allegedly took off running
He has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon and menacing. Those charges aren’t part of the plea offer.
Tenney should speak about lack of supplies for soldiers, Trump Jr’s wedding gift from Russian oligarch
Editor:
American Legion National Commander, Dan K. Wiley, issued a statement about the war in Iran, calling on “Congress to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities to ensure we have clear objectives, strong force protections, and a strategy to prevent prolonged conflict.”
However, reports by multiple news media, including Military Times, claim that service members do not have “strong force protection” and are suffering a severe welfare and mental health crisis.
U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan have suffered significant damage from Iranian air strikes, with the use of Russian satellites. The loss of these bases has strained supplying U.S. servicemembers in the area. Troops are dealing with food rationing, meager meals, and shortages of basic hygiene products.
The Congressional Budget Office and the Department of Defense Inspector General’s office have found that there is a significant depletion of U.S. air-defense munitions. This depletion means that the 50,000 service members defending the U.S. in the Middle East are basically sitting ducks.
The constant stress of war and the lack of supplies is causing severe psychological distress. Meanwhile, Russia provided Iran with targeting and satellite intelligence to kill Americans and a Russian Oligarch, with close ties to President Putin, provided Mr. Trump’s son a gift with an after-wedding party costing thousands of dollars.
Republicans, including Representatives Claudia Tenney and Nick Langworthy, are silent on U.S. troops being sitting ducks; and they are silent on the President’s son accepting gifts from Russian oligarchs while Russia is actively targeting U.S. forces. It is time for new representation.
William Fine
Brockport
Grant from Orleans Community Connects funded several staff members for Camp Rainbow
Press Release, Orleans Community Connects
Provided photo: This swimmer enjoys the pool at Camp Rainbow on Townline Road in Ridgeway.
Orleans Community Connects is pleased to announce its support of Camp Rainbow through a grant that helped fund essential staff positions for the camp’s summer program.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support from Orleans Community Connects,” said Lisa Bors, vice president of Public Relations and Development from Arc GLOW. “The funding allowed us to maintain key staff positions that otherwise would not have been covered, helping us provide a safe, engaging, and memorable experience for our campers.”
This support enabled Camp Rainbow to employ two of its three lifeguards, a music counselor, a science counselor, a teacher, and a camp nurse. The funded staff members played a vital role in the camp’s daily operations, providing water safety supervision, educational enrichment, creative programming, and healthcare services throughout the summer.
“Orleans Community Connects is committed to investing in programs that positively impact children and families throughout our community,” said Nyla Gaylord, executive director of Orleans Community Connects. “We are proud to support Camp Rainbow and help provide the staffing needed to deliver high-quality educational, recreational, and health services to local youth.”
Through partnerships like this, Orleans Community Connects continues to strengthen community programs that promote youth development, learning, health and well-being.
Medina Sandstone Trust taking grant requests
File photo by Tom Rivers: People step inside the Mount Albion Cemetery chapel as part of a tour of the cemetery on Aug. 30. The chapel is getting a $225,000 restoration. The Medina Sandstone Society is helping to pay for a new floor for the building that was constructed in 1875.
Press Release, Medina Sandstone Trust
MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Trust is accepting grant applications for programs that benefit the Village of Medina, Town of Ridgeway, and Town of Shelby communities.
Consideration will also be given to projects within the entire Orleans County area that focus on the preservation of historical structures, especially those constructed from Medina Sandstone. Grant requests generally range from $500 to $1,000, but larger requests will be considered for preservation projects.
Grant application forms can be obtained electronically by clicking here. Please contact us at sandstonesociety@gmail.com to request a physical copy.
Completed applications are due by Nov. 7. They should be mailed to:
Medina Sandstone Trust
PO Box 25
Medina, NY 14103
or emailed to sandstonesociety@gmail.com.
Applicants must be a 501c3 nonprofit, municipality, or school district residing or working within Orleans County.
Tenney meets with local law enforcement, faulting Hochul for banning cooperation with ICE
Photos by Tom Rivers: Congresswoman Claudia Tenney holds a press conference on Monday outside the Orleans County legislative chambers with Wayne County Sheriff Rob Milby, Genesee County Sheriff Joe Graff, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke and Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard.
ALBION – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney has been holding roundtable discussions with law enforcement leaders across the 24th Congressional District, including one in Albion on Monday.
Other roundtables discussions this week were held in Lyons on Wednesday and Canandaigua on Tuesday.
“Our sheriffs, police officers, prosecutors, and other law enforcement professionals understand the public safety challenges facing our communities because they confront them every day,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Over three days and across NY-24, I heard directly from the men and women responsible for keeping our communities safe about the obstacles they face, the impact of policies coming out of Albany, and what they need to do their jobs effectively. Their experience should help shape public safety policy. I will continue working in Congress to ensure local law enforcement has the tools, resources, and support they need, and Albany should be listening to the people confronting these challenges on the ground.”
Tenney, during a press conference in Albion, said law enforcement agencies are often understaffed, especially in state prisons. She pushed back on the “Local Cops, Local Crime Act” that went into effect on Aug. 25 and banned 287(g) agreements where local law enforcement assist with federal civil immigration enforcement.
The ban on those agreements was championed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, who wants local law enforcement resources to not be diverted to helping ICE, which she said is carrying out unprecedented aggressive immigration enforcement.
“ICE can no longer commandeer locally-funded police to aid an out-of-control federal agency with an $85 billion budget,” Hochul said on Aug. 25 when the Local Cops, Local Crime Act took effect.
But Tenney, joined by law enforcement Monday at a press conference in Albion, said local police should be encouraged to cooperate with federal agencies. Tenney said the governor’s policies are making the state less safe.
The congresswoman said it should be “common sense” for the local law enforcement to cooperate with other agencies.
Wayne County Sheriff Rob Milby said the state action, banning 287(g) “convolutes things for our officers out there.” He said the new law from the state can lead to hesitation and a delayed response “which can get somebody hurt.”
The Wayne County sheriff is among 15 sheriffs who have filed a lawsuit against the state after the ban on 287(g) agreements was enacted by the state.
Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said Orleans isn’t in a 287(g) agreement with ICE, and no ICE detainees are held in the County Jail. Orleans does have an agreement with the U.S. Marshals where that agency can keep people in the local jail.
Milby said it is clearly “overreach” from the state, dictating how local communities utilize their law enforcement resources. He called it a violation of “home rule.”
Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said he feels fortunate to have strong backing for his department from the local County Legislature, Congresswoman Tenney, Assemblyman Steve Hawley and State Sen. Rob Ortt.
Bourke said his department will assist federal agents if requested.
“We are not trying to be immigration agents,” Bourke said. “But when a federal law enforcement operation is taking place and then request assistance, we certainly will help them.”
The roundtable discussions were closed to the press at the three locations this week. After speaking with law enforcement for about 90 minutes in Albion, Tenney held a press conference and restricted to questions to law enforcement issues with nothing to be asked off topic.
The congresswoman was asked about ICE enforcement and how the agricultural industry is vulnerable to losing employees who are critical to harvesting crops.
Tenney said she supports the legal guestworker program with H2A and wants it expanded for dairy farms. Her office is willing to farmers and their workers with visas.
“But if we have a criminal illegal alien who’s in this community, those are people that are a threat to our communities and are a threat to not only communities, farmers and other ag workers when we have someone that’s a gang member who’s actually trying to hide between the legal immigrants that are here,” she said.
Tenney said she wants law enforcement leaders and officers to have the tools to do their jobs, going after “bad people in our communities.”
“There seems to be sort of an anti-police sentiment that’s been going on for the last number of years in our state,” Tenney said in Albion. “That concerns me because we have rural communities that are also impacted by crime, and especially, one of the worst things that we face in our communities is the continued prevalence of illicit drugs, fentanyl and things, coming across our borders that are hurting our communities, killing our children, making our communities less safe.”
Lady Hawks roll to 6-0 soccer victory
Four players scored goals as Holley blanked visiting CG Finney 6-0 in a non league girls soccer game this evening.
Emma Burne and Jayna Burris both scored a pair of goals for the Lady Hawks as Kyla Burne and Philomena Arnold each had one.
Carsyn Mogle had 2 assists for the Lady Hawks as Kyla Burne, Emma Burne, Addison Bevins and Burris each had 1.
Zoey Warner made 1 save to earn the shutout in goal.
Holley improves to 5-5-1 with the win,
Kendall tops W-C in G-R volleyball
Kendall downed Wheatland-Chili in straight sets 25-9, 25-9, 25-16 in a Genesee Region League volleyball match this evening.
For Kendall, Maya Tatar had 12 service points including 8 aces, Irelynn Maloney 11 service points with 4 attack points, Rylan Clark 5 points with 5 aces and 5 attacks, Emma Minster 13 assists, 8 service points and 4 kills. Defensively Makayla Bentley had 30 digs.
Attica d. Lyndonville
Attica downed Lyndonville 25-18, 25-18, 25-14 in a G-R League match this evening.
Destinee Holmes had 2 kills and Hannah Fox and Sarah Corser 1 each for Lyndonville. Grave Kenyon also had an ace and Andrea Garza and Leah Kenyn 1 block each.
Batavia d. Albion
Batavia downed Albion 25-22, 25-15, 25-18 in a non league match.
For Albion, Charlotte Pike had 4 aces, 6 digs and 7 assists, Jillian LeBaron 2 kills and 8 digs and Melia Prince 3 aces, 2 kills, 1 block and 5 digs.
Williamsville East d. Roy-Hart
Williamsville East defeated Roy-Hart 25-12, 25-19, 25-15 in another non league match.
Lauren Snyder had 5 kills for Roy-Hart.
Albion golfers post win over Medina
Albion downed Medina 232-241 in a Niagara-Orleans League golf match this afternoon.
Viktor Snyder and Drew Pritchard both shot 43, Owen Spencer 47 and Luke Bedford 49 for Albion.
Cam Fike took medalist honors with a 41 and Tyler Draper had a 44 for Medina.
Albion is now 8-2-1 and Medina 3-6-1.
N-O Field Hockey
Akron 12, Roy-Hart 0
Defending champion Akron improved to 6-0 by downing Roy-Hart (0-5) 12-0 in a Niagara-Orleans League field hockey game this afternoon.
Madigan Regan and Mackenzie Tomporowski both scored 3 goals and Brooke Milhollen 2 to lead Akron as Scarlett Ranney, Kalie Reeb, Shannon Esmond and Madison Gates each had 1.
2 from Hemp House in Medina sentenced to 5 years probation, no jail time
ALBION – Two people at the former Hemp House on Main Street in Medina were sentenced to five years probation and no jail time today for attempting to possess more than 10 pounds of marijuana.
Mitchell Kwandrans, 39, of Medina and Marcus Verratti, 41, both admitted in court on July 29 to attempting to possess more than 10 pounds of marijuana. They pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of cannabis in the first degree.
Kwandrans owned the Hemp House which was shut down by the NYS Office of Cannabis Management for possessing and selling unauthorized cannabis products. Verratti was an employee of the Hemp House. (A Niagara County lab weighed the cannabis at 10.16 pounds after it was seized by law enforcement on Nov. 5.)
County Court Judge Sanford Church agreed to terms of a plea agreement and sentenced both to five years of probation.
Both apologized in court today and each will need to pay $375 in court fees and fines.
