Charges reduced for 4 people who faced attempted gang assault

Victim didn’t suffer serious injuries, so charges now third-degree assault

ALBION – Four people who faced charges of second-degree gang assault now are being prosecuted on reduced charges of third-degree assault.

The victim in the crime didn’t suffer serious injuries which prompted District Attorney Joe Cardone to amend the charges. He told Orleans County Court Judge James Punch the indictment would be amended four four Albion men: Christopher Rivers, 19; Ashay S. Gaffney, 22; Sharoz R. Haywood, 19; and Jasper D. Lloyd, 22.

The four men from Albion allegedly attacked a person on April 5 on Beaver Street in Albion, kicking and punching the victim.

The reduced charge also may affect another case involving Rivers. He was to be sentenced on Monday on a weapons charge. Rivers on March 1 pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a firearm and could face up to a year in the county jail for that charge.

Judge Punch opted to adjourn sentencing until 2 p.m. on Aug. 30 to consider how the reduced assault charge may affect Rivers’ sentence.

Rivers has been in jail on $100,000. The judge, following a request by attorney Robert Fogg, agreed to lower the bail for Rivers to $5,000 on Monday.

In another case on Monday, a former local man pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny and could face 6 months in jail and five years on probation.

Richard D. Walls, 46, is accused of applying for three credit cards in another person’s name. He moved from the local community and was picked up on a warrant in Georgia.

He will be sentenced at 2 p.m. on Oct. 3.