3 arraigned in County Court for felonies

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 October 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Three people, including two with lengthy criminal histories, were arraigned in Orleans County Court this week.

Charles A. Verstreate, 46, of Rochester is in Orleans County Jail on $100,000 bail. He was arrested on Aug. 11, following an undercover buy operation of oxycodone pills by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.

Verstreate was charged with one count each of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, both felonies.

He has seven prior felonies, 17 prior misdemeanor crimes and twice has failed to appear at court appearances, District Attorney Joe Cardone said when Verstreate made his first court appearance in August.

Judge James Punch set bail at $100,000 for Verstreate due to his “profoundly serious criminal history.”

Bennie Coger, 63, of Medina was arraigned on 2 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, and 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in 3rd degree.

The judge set bail at $25,000 for Coger, who is currently on state parole due to two prior felonies.

Stuart J. Rodden, 25, of Medina was arraigned for driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree.

Rodden was charged on Aug. 7 following the investigation of a motor vehicle accident with an unregistered dirtbike on South Lyndonville Road (Route 63) in the Town of Ridgeway. Rodden posted $2,500 bail in Town Court. Judge Punch is keeping the bail at $2,500.