county court

Man who hit garage while driving drunk sentenced to prison

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 February 2018 at 1:48 pm

ALBION – An Albion man who was intoxicated and drove into a garage with a stolen car about a year ago was sentenced on Monday to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison.

Joshua Biaselli, 33, pleaded guilty to felony driving while intoxicated on Nov. 27.

Biaselli’s attorney Brian Degnan asked for time served for Biaselli with no additional incarceration. Degnan said Biaselli has been in jail since his arrest on Feb. 10, 2017.

Biaselli has been “locked up” on and off for 25 years, his attorney said. He was allegedly driving drunk and high from using cocaine and marijuana on Feb. 10, 2017. Biaselli had been released from state prison in Elmira in January 2017 after serving more than five years in prison for felony DWI, bail jumping and drug convictions. About a month later, he was arrested again.

Now, for first time, Degnan said Biaselli is taking his mental health and substance abuse issues seriously.

“I am no longer the person I was,” Biaselli told Judge Sheldon. “I am capable of much more.”

Biaselli caused $3,531 in damage when he crashed into a garage on Gulf Road in Murray, Assistant District Attorney Susan Howard said.

However, Biaselli won’t have to pay restitution because it wasn’t mentioned during his plea on Nov. 27. Judge Sara Sheldon asked Biaselli if he would be willing to pay restitution, but he declined.

“The prospects of him paying it off are slim to none,” Degnan said.

Sheldon said she couldn’t order restitution. She gave Biaselli prison time and urged him to take advantage of drug treatment, educational and other programs.

Judge Sheldon urged him to take advantage of education and drug counseling programs while he is in jail until his sentencing.

• In another case, Jeremy R. Johnson, 33, of Albion was sentenced to 5 years of probation and 2 months of weekends in jail after getting his third DWI. His previous convictions were in 2007 and 2009.

Johnson works full-time and is “actively engaged” in programs at GCASA.

Judge Sheldon said a report from Johnson’s counselor was among the most positive she has ever seen in her career as a judge. Johnson could have faced six months in jail as part of a plea agreement. Sheldon gave him a reduced sentence.

• Frank Ranallo, 47, of Medina was sentenced to a year in jail for violating his probation by not attending substance abuse and mental health counseling appointments. He also was using drugs, and committed another crime of attempted burglary.

He already has been in jail for about six months and that will count towards his sentence.

“I regret everything I’ve done,” Ranallo said. “The past three years have been terrible.”

(Editor’s Note: This story was updated from an earlier version that stated Biaselli was given a 2-year prison sentence.)

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2 are sentenced to state prison for drug crimes in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 February 2018 at 11:44 am

‘There’s too much drugs in Orleans County.’ – Judge Sara Sheldon

ALBION – Two people were sentenced to state prison on Monday for drug crimes in Orleans County.

Leonel Lopez-Sanchez, 45, of Rochester received the longest sentence at 3 years in prison.

Lopez-Sanchez in December admitted to having cocaine in Orleans County. He pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree with intent to sell.

Lopez-Sanchez faced a maximum of 3 ½ years in state prison and two years of post-release supervision.

Sara Sheldon, interim County Court judge, gave him less than the maximum at 3 years in prison. Lopez-Sanchez has taken drug treatment programs in jail. He also doesn’t have any prior felonies, although he has four misdemeanors in Miami, Dade County, Florida.

He also will be on post-release supervision for two years, and may be deported to Cuba.

Lopez-Sanchez was arrested on Feb. 16, 2017 after an investigation by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force and a the execution of a search warrant on North Main Street by the Albion Police Department.

“I made a mistake,” Lopez-Sanchez said in court on Monday. “It will never, ever happen again.”

• A co-defendant in the case also was to be sentenced to up to 3 years in state prison on Monday. But the judge wanted to hear more from the District Attorney’s Office about Patricio A. Borquez’s involvement.

Borquez and his attorney Mark Lewis said Borquez was involved in one drug transaction.

Borquez developed a drug addiction after fracturing his skull in a construction accident and using pain medication, his attorney said.

He became addicted to the pain pills and then started using heroin.

He sold drugs to support his drug habit, Lewis said.

Since he has been in jail for just over a year, he has completed drug treatment programs through GCASA and also is a regular attendee of a Bible study.

“He has been attempting to better himself,” Lewis told the judge.

Borquez told Judge Sheldon he wants to become a pastor, and be “the father I used to be.”

His attorney asked the judge to sentence Borquez to time served after more than a year in jail.

Sheldon adjourned sentencing until March 5 to hear more from the DA’s office about Borquez’s role in the drug sales.

“There’s too much drugs in Orleans County and you were helping to bring drugs into Orleans County, whether it was one time or three times,” Judge Sheldon said.

• In another case, Andrew Coley, 20, of Albion was sentenced to 2 years in prison, plus a year of post-release supervision for selling crack cocaine.

His attorney, John Zimberlin, said Coley’s drug addiction has fueled his criminal actions.

“I’m not justifying it, I’m just pointing it out,” the attorney said.

Coley didn’t speak during his sentencing and also wasn’t cooperative with probation staff in a presentencing report, Judge Sheldon said.

“Unfortunately Mr. Coley you need an attitude adjustment or you will continue down this path,” she said.

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2 sheriff’s deputies plead guilty to petit larceny

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2018 at 4:45 pm

Tom Marano, Dean Covis admit to falsifying time sheets for security work while they were also on the clock for Sheriff’s Department

ALBION – Two Orleans County sheriff’s deputies pleaded guilty in County Court today to petit larceny and falsifying business records.

Dean Covis

Dean Covis

Tom Marano and Dean Covis last July were indicted on felony grand larceny in the third degree after both were accused of falsifying time sheets when they were hired for security by Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners, which operates a hydroelectric plant in Waterport.

Marano and Covis submitted time sheets for Brookfield when they were allegedly also working shifts for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.

Both Marano and Covis have to pay restitution to Brookfield. As part of a plea deal today, the felony charges were reduced to a misdemeanor. There was no sentencing promises in court today. Judge Sara Sheldon said the charge carries a maximum of a year in jail.

Marano and Covis will both be sentenced on May 7.

Tom Marano

Tom Marano

Covis, 53, admitted to filing false time sheets for about 690 hours at Brookfield from approximately Nov. 26, 2013 to Jan. 3, 2015. Covis agreed to pay $12,915 in restitution. He is disputing paying an additional $1,000 in restitution for $13,915 total.

Larry Friedman, the Genesee County district attorney, prosecuted the case for the Orleans DA’s Office. Friedman said he and Covis’s attorney would attempt to resolve the issue about the additional $1,000 in restitution.

Marano, 46, admitted to claiming 240 hours at Brookfield while he was on the clock working as a deputy between Jan. 12, 2014 and Jan. 1, 2015. He agreed to repay $4,800 in restitution.

The charges were refiled today after the original charges were dismissed over technicalities. Judge Sheldon said the spread sheet of time cards was not presented as evidence for the grand jury. There were also 192 counts or falsifying business records that should have been presented to grand jury with a vote on each count individually, Sheldon said.

The original indictment lists 140 counts of first-degree falsifying business records and one count of third-degree grand larceny against Covis. Marano faced 101 counts of falsifying business records and one count of third-degree grand larceny.

Both Covis and Marano are waiving their right to appeal as part of the plea. They have both been on unpaid leave, pending the outcome of the case.

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Rochester man admits stealing electronics from Walmart in Albion and could face prison

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2018 at 6:00 pm

ALBION – A Rochester man admitted in court today to stealing $1,903 worth of electronics from the Walmart in Albion.

Adrian Taylor, 40, could face up to 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison when he is sentenced on Feb. 26. He pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny.

The charge for a second-felony offender carries a maximum of 2 to 4 years in prison. As part of a plea deal, Taylor would see a reduced sentence.

He also agreed to pay $1,903 in restitution, but told the judge, “I have no way of paying it.”

Sara Sheldon, the interim County Court judge, said a judgement may have to be imposed to collect the money.

Taylor allegedly put electronic items in a tote and then took them from the store.

A co-defendant in the case, Kenya L. Yawn, also was to be sentenced today. The Rochester woman, 22, had her sentencing pushed back three weeks. She will likely face a year in jail.

She said she is concerned about a niece who lives with her and where she will go. Judge Sheldon gave Yawn three weeks to make living arrangements for her niece.

Yawn pleaded guilty to petit larceny for stealing about $2,000 worth of merchandise from the Albion Walmart on March 2. She allegedly took a television, modem, Fitbits, hard drives and other items from the store.

She will be sentenced on Feb. 26.

 A Medina man was sentenced to five years of probation for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

Derrick Adams, 30, avoided jail. He had no prior criminal record until he was arrested for unlawfully having cocaine with the intent to sell it on April 25.

As part of a plea deal, he faced up to six months in jail and five years of probation.

Adams apologized for the crime in court today.

“I made a mistake,” he told Judge Sheldon.

“You made a choice and you’re smarter than that,” she responded.

Adams is considered a low risk of reoffending, according to a pre-sentencing report by probation staff.

He has a job and has plans to complete his college education.

• David L. Timmer III, 38, of Medina was also sentenced to five years of probation. He has already spent four months in jail for attempted burglary in the third degree.

Timmer admitted to burglarizing Tim Horton’s in Medina and taking money from the business.

He apologized for the crime today in court. He also is considered a low risk of recidivism, according to a pre-sentencing report from probation.

 An Albion man pleaded guilty to violating terms of his probation and could be sentencned to up to a year in jail on March 5.

Kolin McKain, 21, of Albion already has been on probation four times and has twice been convicted of driving while intoxicated. District Attorney Joe Cardone said McKain violated probation by repeatedly using drugs and also being found with alcohol.

McKain admitted he was at a party on Dec. 27 and used cocaine. The judge said that represented a violation of probation.

He was remanded to jail on $10,000 bail while awaiting sentencing.

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3 are sentenced at County Court

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 January 2018 at 12:01 pm

ALBION – Three people were sentenced in Orleans County Court on Monday, and two others had their sentencings pushed back.

Joseph Piedmont, 52, of South Clinton Street was sentenced to six months in Orleans County jail, plus five years of probation.

Piedmont admitted to taking a debit card. Part of his sentence includes paying restitution of $14,321 to KeyBank. Once he’s out of jail, Piedmont needs to start paying $250 monthly in restitution over 60 months.

Piedmont’s attorney Nathan Pace said Piedmont’s drug and alcohol abuse fueled the crime.

• A Rochester man was sentenced to five years of probation for promoting prison contraband. Ashanti E. Kellum, 23, of Adams Street in Rochester was part of a group that tried to bring heroin and Alprazolam into the Albion Correctional Facility, a women’s prison. Alprazolam (also known as Xanax) is a prescription drug used to treat anxiety.

Kellum has no prior criminal history. The Orleans County Probation Department recommended probation instead of incarceration.

• A 17-year-old was sentenced to probation for disseminating indecent material to a minor. The boy sent “extremely graphic images to an underage female,” District Attorney Joe Cardone said.

The boy was granted youthful offender status so his name shouldn’t be made public. The crime also won’t be on his record.

He was in jail for several months while officials tried to find housing for him. He has since reunited with his mother and is enrolled at a school in Niagara County. He hopes to play sports.

Sara Sheldon, the interim County Court judge, told the boy she would be checking his progress and making sure he attends school and keeps his grades up. He also can’t send any sexually explicit texts to other people as part of his probation. The judge told the boy he has lots of potential to live a productive life.

“Consider for now on that you have two mothers,” Judge Sheldon said. “I’m going to be watching you.”

• Frank Ranallo, 47, of Medina was to be sentenced but it was pushed back until Feb. 26 so probation could complete a pre-sentencing report. Ranallo was late for court on Monday and also missed another recent court date. His father attended court both times and said his son had medical issues.

Sheldon said she suspected Ranallo was causing self-inflicted injuries to delay incarceration.

Ranallo could spend up to a year in the county jail for violating his probation by not attending substance abuse and mental health counseling appointments. He also was using drugs, and committed another crime of attempted burglary.

He will be sentenced on Feb. 5. Judge Sheldon set bail at $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond.

• A Medina man could have been sentenced to four years in prison on Monday for attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Russell E. Sargent, 52, of West Avenue admitted in a previous court appearance to having cocaine with the intention of selling it on May 18.

His attorney, Nathan Pace, asked for an adjournment so probation could complete a full pre-sentencing report. Pace apologized on behalf of Sargent for not understanding what probation wanted so the report could be completed.

Sheldon agreed to delay sentencing until March 26, but said Sargent would be held in the county jail until then.

• In another case, Amanda C. Laraby, 37, of Middleport will be screened for a judicial diversion program. If she is accepted and passes the program, a felony charge would be reduced to a misdemeanor and she would avoid going to jail.

Laraby, in court on Monday, said she has battled an opiate addiction daily for five years.

She was charged last month with selling prescription opiate drugs.

• Judge Sheldon also set March 20 as the start of a trial against Darren Marker, 32, of Medina. He has been charged with first-degree robbery. He allegedly was in a vehicle on Main Street in Medina at 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 8 when he pulled out a knife and threatened a victim. Marker allegedly already owed the victim $110 after borrowing money with no intention of paying it back, the District Attorney’s Office said.

Marker also allegedly stole cellular phone power banks from Crosby’s. He also faces charges of second-degree menacing, criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of petit larceny, and criminal mischief in the fifth degree.

He has been in jail with bail set at $100,000 cash and $200,000 property bond.

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Murray man sentenced to 4 years in prison for sex act with 16-year-old

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 January 2018 at 11:01 am

ALBION – A Murray man was given the maximum of four years in state prison for first-degree attempted sex abuse.

Joseph Quarella, 41, was living at Skyline Circle in Murray when he allegedly subjected a 16-year-old girl to the crime, which occurred in November 2016.

He pleaded guilty on Oct. 30, when he admitted to forcibly touching the victim’s private parts.

Quarella is a second felony offender and already has served a sentence in state prison for second-degree assault in Cayuga County in 2005.

In court on Monday he said the girl, 16, was a “problem child” who would cut herself. He started “sexting” with her, sending sexually explicit messages, thinking it would make her feel better.

Sara Sheldon, the interim County Court judge, told Quarella he is the adult who took advantage of the victim, giving her drugs and alcohol.

In addition to four years in prison, Quarella will face 10 years of post-release supervision and will be a registered sex offender.

He also has to pay a $1,000 sex offender victim fee, $375 court surcharge and $50 sex offender registration fee.

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Ridgeway man held without bail after new charges for violent felony

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 January 2018 at 9:12 am

ALBION – A judge has sent a Ridgeway man to Orleans County Jail to be held without bail after he was charged with additional violent felonies after posting bail for allegedly assaulting a woman last year.

Gerardo Quiros

Gerardo Quiros, 31, posted $250,000 bail last spring after he was accused of holding a woman against her will for several weeks, while physically and sexually assaulting her.

Quiros is facing 36 counts including seven counts of first-degree rape, 23 counts of first-degree criminal sexual act, third and fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, endangering the welfare of a child, unlawful dealing with a child and unlawful possession of marijuana.

That case is pending in court. He was offered a plea deal where he would face a maximum of 7 to 15 years in state prison. Quiros declined that offer.

Sara Sheldon, the interim County Court judge in Orleans County, on Monday revoked the bail and ordered Quiros to be held without bail due to the additional charges.

He was arraigned on the new charges when he allegedly broke into his girlfriend’s parents’ house in Barre and attempted to drag the woman out by her feet.

He was arraigned on Jan. 1 in Town Court for second-degree burglary, attempted second-degree kidnapping and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Bail was set at $100,000 and Quiros was promptly bailed out.

Sheldon continued bail on Monday at $100,000 for the new charges. Quiros, however, remains in jail without bail after Sheldon revoked the $250,000 bail on the previous charges.

“We feel he is a tremendous flight risk,” District Attorney Joe Cardone told the judge.

He also requested orders of protection for six people, and the judge granted that request.

The judge also set Sept. 18 as the tentative date for a trial on the latest charges.

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Judge sets bail at $25K for man accused of burglarizing former legislator’s home

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2018 at 6:16 pm

ALBION – The man accused of burglarizing a former county legislator’s home and causing about $60,000 of damage appeared in Orleans County Court today.

Charles Zambito, the judge from Genensee County, set bail at $25,000 Zachary S. Natale, 24, of Medina.

District Attorney Joe Cardone asked that bail be set at $100,000. He said Natale has been charged with burglaries on Dec. 19 and Dec. 25 in Niagara County.

Those charges aren’t related to the second-degree burglary charge he faces in Orleans County for allegedly breaking into the home of former County Legislature Chairman David Callard’s home on Fruit Avenue in Ridgeway.

Natale allegedly broke into the house on May 14 and flooded the home by plugging drains. He also is accused of breaking other household items and stealing about $5,000 worth of items, including a television, computer and jewelry. In addition to the burglary charge, he faces third-degree grand larceny and second-degree criminal mischief.

Natale’s attorney Justin White said Natale already had posted bail of $20,000 from Niagara County. White asked that bail stay at that level.

“Our position is the circumstances have changed substantially,” Cardone told the judge in court today. Cardone said Natale “has a pretty bad heroin problem he is dealing with.”

Natale would have appeared in court voluntarily today, White said, but a detainer warrant kept him in jail.

Zambito, the judge, decided against raising the bail to $100,000. Instead, he upped it to $25,000, cash or bond. He also issued an order of protection for Callard.

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Medina man charged with burglarizing former Legislature chairman’s home

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 January 2018 at 9:28 am

ALBION – The home of David Callard was allegedly burglarized in May, with about $50,000 in damages.

Zachary S. Natale, 24, of Medina has been indicted on second-degree burglary, third-degree grand larceny and second-degree criminal mischief. He is to appear in Orleans County Court on Jan. 18 in front of Charles Zambito, the Genesee County judge who is handling some of the cases in Orleans.

Natale is currently in Niagara County Jail in Lockport where he faces charges for several burglaries.

He allegedly broke into Callard’s house on Fruit Avenue in Ridgeway on May 14, flooding the house by plugging drains. He also is accused of breaking other household items and stealing about $5,000 worth of items, including a television, computer and jewelry.

Callard was the chairman of Legislature for nearly eight years. He resigned on Aug. 2, citing personal reasons. He had been a county legislator for nearly 24 years.

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2 sentenced in county court today

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 January 2018 at 9:22 pm

ALBION – Several people were sentenced in Orleans County today with an inmate at Orleans Correctional Facility getting the longest, an additional 1 ½ to 3 years in prison.

Jaquan Hill, 22, of Suffolk County is serving a six-year sentence for first-degree burglary. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 16 to having a woman bring drugs into the prison to give to him.

Promoting prison contraband in the first degree carries a maximum of 2 to 4 years in prison. As part of a plea deal, Hill was given a maximum of 1 ½ to 3 years in prison.

In other cases in court today:

• Matthew Engert, 26, of Holley was sentenced to three years of probation for third-degree assault, an A misdemeanor, for punching another inmate in the head at the Orleans County Jail on Feb. 14.

Engert already has served about 4 ½ months in the county jail. Judge Sara Sheldon, interim county court judge, said probation should ensure Engert receives anger management and substance abuse treatment.

• A Rochester woman who was scheduled to be sentenced today didn’t appear in court and Judge Sheldon issued a warrant.

Kenya L. Yawn, 22, could be sentenced to up a year in jail after pleading guilty to petit larceny for stealing about $2,000 worth of merchandise from the Albion Walmart Supercenter on March 2. Yawn allegedly took a television, modem, Fitbits, hard drives and other items from the store.

Her attorney Dominic Saraceno asked that the case be adjourned and a warrant not be issued. He said Yawn has attended all of her court appearances and was likely facing a probation sentence.

Susan Howard, assistant district attorney, asked for a warrant and Sheldon granted the request

Laura L. Spear, 50, of Salt Works Road in Medina pleaded guilty to petit larceny and will avoid jail as part of a plea deal. Spear admitted she took $20,918 from her mother by using her credit card. Spear, who has no prior criminal record, agreed to pay restitution.

She will be sentenced on March 26.

• A Rochester woman will be screened for the judicial diversion program. If she is accepted and completes the program, her felony charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor and she will avoid jail.

Georgeta M. Coleman, 19, was charged on June 14 by the Albion Police Department after she allegedly stole a motor vehicle in Albion. She has been arraigned for fourth-degree grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree.

Coleman has a similar charge in her past. Coleman said she used marijuana and K2 almost daily for two years.

• Judge Sheldon set Jan. 29 as a hearing for an Albion man who allegedly violated terms of his probation.

Kolin McKain, 21, of Albion already has been on probation four times and has twice been convicted of driving while intoxicated. District Attorney Joe Cardone said McKain violated probation by repeatedly using drugs and also being found with alcohol.

If the judge determines McKain violated his probation, he could face up to a year in jail.

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Albion man sentenced to 11 years in prison for child pornography

Posted 8 January 2018 at 6:06 pm

Christopher Ridder

Information from U.S. Attorney’s Office

BUFFALO – An Albion man was sentenced to 11 years in prison today in Federal Court in Buffalo after being convicted of receipt of child pornography.

Christopher Ridder, 46, was sentenced to 132 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Lamarque, who is handling the case, stated that in January 2017, after exchanging messages with an undercover law enforcement agent, the defendant was found in possession of over 600 images of child pornography, some depicting prepubescent minors and some depicting violent conduct.

Ridder was living in Medina when two Medina residents, on September 3, 2016, allegedly found a Samsung Centura smart phone in the trash in front of the former residence of the defendant on South Main St.

The following day, one of the individuals who found the phone charged it, began searching through it, and opened the Facebook application which automatically connected to Facebook account of the Ridder.

The phone also had pictures on it of individuals that the person knew as well as 75 images of young boys in various states of dress (bathing suits, underwear, etc.). Some pictures contained naked images of different boys. The individuals who found the phone turned the phone into the Village of Medina Police Department.

Further review of the phone and its contents by law enforcement officers uncovered a Facebook Messenger conversation that took place between Ridder and another individual. Officers also discovered another Facebook Messenger conversation between the defendant and second individual.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Adam S. Cohen and the Medina Police Department, under the direction of Chief Chad Kenward.

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Sanford Church takes the oath as new county judge

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 December 2017 at 2:16 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Sanford A. Church takes the oath of office today while his wife Diane holds The Bible. Church was sworn in by James Punch, who retired on July 29 after nearly 27 years as county judge.

Church, an Albion attorney who served about 20 years as the county’s public defender, was elected to a 10-year term as judge on Nov. 7.

“He has distinguished himself with his knowledge of the law, his integrity, his intelligence and his courage,” Punch said. “Running for office, as many of you know, is not easy.”

Church took the office in front of many family, friends and other elected officials.

Church is known by many in the community as “Sandy.” He has been a long-time Little League coach, member of service clubs and a former member of the Board of Education.

His two children, Ben and Molly, made the trip home for the swearing-in. Ben, 26, is a graduate of the Northwestern Medical School in internal medicine, and is doing his residency in California. Molly, 24, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Pittsburgh and is studying to be a mental health counselor in Boston at Tufts University.

Punch said the judge position is critically important in the community.

“If we don’t respect the law we run the risk of a chaotic society,” Punch told the crowd at the swearing-in ceremony. “It’s in everyone’s interests to respect Sandy and to respect the law, and to remember how lucky we are that Sandy was willing to do this.”

Sanford Church raises his right hand and takes the oath of office. He solemnly swore “to faithfully discharge the duties of office of Orleans County judge and to uphold and defend the Constitution of the State of New York and the Constitution of the United States of America, so help me God.”

Church will attend a “judge’s school” or a judicial institute next week at Pace University in White Plains. Because he was public defender of many pending cases in criminal and family courts, outside judges will continue in Orleans in the short term.

Judge Sara Sheldon of Niagara County has been an acting criminal court judge and Judge Charles Zambito of Genesee also has been handling some of those cases. Judge Michael Griffith of Wyoming County also has been presiding over some of the Family Court cases. Those judges are expected to continue in the short term in Orleans. Judge Punch also could handle some Family Court cases as a judicial hearing officer.

Church is expected to fully take over in Criminal and Family courts in the spring. He will assume the duties in Supreme and Surrogate’s courts next month. He is expected to handle some criminal cases in Genesee County in early 2018.

Because Church is becoming a full-time judge, he has to shut down his law office in Albion. He can’t practice law and also work as a full-time judge in the same community. He doesn’t have a partner to continue the law office. Church & Church has been in his family since 1903, and the office dates back to the early 1800s.

Judge James Punch and new County Court Judge Sanford Church speak before a crowd gathered in the Orleans County Courthouse today for a swearing-in ceremony.

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Mother and daughter charged with selling prescription opiates

Staff Reports Posted 21 December 2017 at 2:50 pm

Amanda C. Laraby

ALBION/LYNDONVILLE – A Middleport woman and her daughter, 16, have been arrested for selling prescription opiate drugs, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force is reporting.

Amanda C. Laraby, aka Amanda Streeter, 37, faces numerous felony drug charges. She was charged following an investigation into the sale and distribution of opiates in the villages of Albion and Lyndonville.

The Task Force teamed with the Albion Police Department in the arrest. Laraby was stopped by police in a vehicle on West Avenue in Albion on Wednesday. Task Force members seized a quantity of Oxycodone and Hydrocodone pills. Some of those pills belonged to Laraby’s mother, the Task Force said.

Laraby has been charged with two counts each of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (Class B felonies), one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fourth degree (Class C felony) and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree (Class D felony).

She was arraigned in Albion Town Court by Town Justice Joseph Fuller, who remanded her to the county jail with bail at $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond. She is scheduled to return to Town Court on Dec. 26 at 9 a.m.

Her daughter has been charged with one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fourth degree (Class C felony) and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree (Class D felony).

The 16-year-old was released on her own recognizance to a family member. She is scheduled to appear in Yates Town Court on Jan. 10 at 6 p.m.

The Task Force said additional charges are pending in the case, including Medicaid fraud, welfare fraud, criminal diversion of prescription medications and other charges.

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3 are sentenced in County Court

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2017 at 8:43 am

Rochester man apologizes for bringing drugs to Orleans County

ALBION – Three people were sentenced in Orleans County Court on Monday, including a Rochester man who will spend three years in state prison after admitting to bringing drugs in Orleans County.

Dale M. Jones, 47, of Rochester pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. As a second felony offender, the charge carries a maximum of 4 years in prison. As part of a plea deal, Jones faced up to 3 years in prison when he was sentenced on Monday.

Sara Sheldon, acting County Court judge, gave him the maximum as part of the plea agreement.

“I apologize for bringing drugs to this county, to the Town of Albion and the Town of Clarendon,” Jones said during sentencing. “I made a bad choice. I’m not a bad person.”

Jones has a long history of substance abuse, his attorney told the judge. Sheldon agreed the sentence for Jones will include the drug treatment program at Willard, which is run by the NYS Department of Correctional Services and Community Supervision.

His sentence includes paying $150 in restitution to the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force.

• Jason M. Hirtreiter, 29, of Medina was sentenced to a year in jail for obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree.

Hirtreiter admitted in court that on May 13 he pulled a witness away from two Medina police officers who were trying to interview the person.

Hirtreiter also refused to be finger-printed, refused to get out of a the patrol car and be arraigned and was aggressive with the police, Sheldon said during sentencing.

He has already been in jail for about 7 ½ months. He also needs to pay $250 in court surcharges, including a DNA fee.

• A 17-year-old girl from Rochester who pleaded guilty to promoting prison contraband in the second degree won’t have to spend any time in jail.

The girl, who was given youthful offender status, will serve three years on probation. She admitted to trying to pass heroin and Alprazolam (also known as Xanax) to two inmates at the Albion Correctional Facility, a women’s prison, on March 26.

The girl could have faced a maximum of a year in jail. District Attorney Joe Cardone said the girl was taken advantage of by the inmates, including her mother who is incarcerated. Cardone described the girl’s family situation as “horrible.”

Cardone agreed to the youthful offender status, which means the crime won’t go on the girl’s record and her name shouldn’t be made public.

The girl is on the honor roll and told the judge she hopes to become a math teacher.

“I wish the world for her,” Sheldon said during sentencing.

In another case, an 18-year-old from Albion pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary after stealing cigars from a gas station.

Prince Wilson of Platt Street was accepted into a judicial diversion program. If he completes that program, the felony charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor and he will avoid state prison and instead spend three years on probation.

Wilson will be on the diversion program for 18 to 24 months and needs to not break any laws and complete his GED. If he fails at the diversion program, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison.

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Man accused of trafficking heroin to Albion pleads guilty in County Court

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2017 at 1:35 pm

Leonel Lopez-Sanchez

ALBION – A Rochester man who was arrested in February for allegedly selling heroin in Albion pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court this morning.

Leonel Lopez-Sanchez, 45, faces 3 ½ years in state prison, two years of post-release supervision and possible deportation to Cuba after pleading guilty to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree with intent to sell.

Lopez-Sanchez was arrested on Feb. 16 after an investigation by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force and a the execution of a search warrant on North Main Street by the Albion Police Department. He has been in the county jail since then on $300,000 bail.

Lopez-Sanchez has no prior felonies, but was convicted of misdemeanor crimes in Miami, the District Attorney’s Office said in a previous court appearance.

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