Richard Turrell wants to tackle drug addiction at prison program

Richard Turrell

ALBION – An Orleans County Court judge was prepared to include probation as part of the sentence for a Ridgeway man facing a drug charge.

But Richard C. Turrell told the judge he preferred prison and its drug treatment program. Turrell wants to go to Willard drug treatment campus run by the state prison system.

Judge James Punch said he can’t require the State Department of Corrections to accept Turrell into Willard, but the judge would make the recommendation.

Turrell, 62, is the owner of the Rick & Ron’s automobile business. He was arrested last September. Turrell on May 22 admitted in court to selling cocaine. He pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. As part of a plea deal, he faced a maximum of two years in state prison.

Turrell said in court that he had the cocaine and it was shared by some of his friends. Sharing it with friends fits the legal definition of selling, Judge Punch said.

Turrell has “no substantial criminal history,” Punch said during sentencing on Monday. The judge said he didn’t think Turrell had reached the criminal level of going to state prison.

When the judge said that, Turrell’s attorney Robert King said Turrell wanted the Willard program in the state prison system.

It was a rare request, long-time court observers said, for a defendant to request state prison over local probation.

“I thought you would benefit from probation because you have a very limited record,” Punch told Turrell. “I will request Willard, but there is no guarantee you will get in.”

Turrell, after conferring with his attorney, said he wanted the state prison sentence.

The judge sentenced him to 1 ½ years in state prison. He also agreed to a request from Turrell’s attorney to not suspend Turrell’s driver’s license because Turrell needs it to keep operating the auto business when he is out of prison.

“It looks like you have a drug problem just like about every defendant these days,” the judge said. “It looks like you are serious about dealing with it.”

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ALBION – Kevin A. Truesdell, 39, served his country with honor as a sergeant in the U.S. Army, his attorney told Judge James Punch today.

Truesdell, a Murray resident, earned three commendation medals and three achievement medals for his service, his attorney Gary Horton told the judge during sentencing this afternoon.

Truesdell developed a bad alcohol problem and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) after his service.

He was arrested for DWI on Dec. 15 with a blood alcohol content at 0.24 percent, three times the legal limit.

Since his arrest he has completed an alcohol treatment program in the Orleans County Jail. He also completed a 45-day inpatient program with the Canandaigua VA and was diagnosed with PTSD by the VA in Batavia.

“We often see soldiers rise to the occasion in a combat zone, but when they get home their PTSD symptoms break out,” Horton told Judge Punch. “His drinking got out of control when he got home. He was self medicating with alcohol and he struggled.”

Truesdell has spent the past 4 ½ months in the county jail. He was picked as a trustee in the jail, allowed to do some jobs.

Horton asked that Truesdell be sentenced to time served, and be allowed to be on probation and enter alcohol and PTSD treatment programs.

“Kevin Truesdell does not represent a threat to the community at this point, especially if he gets treatment,” Horton said.

Truesdell addressed the judge and apologized for actions that were “dangerous and irresponsible.”

Truesdell said he will re-enroll in treatment programs through the VA.

Punch said he had “utmost respect” for Truesdell for his service in combat.

But the judge said he couldn’t be lenient given Truesdell’s DWIs, and failure on probation. He violated probation in Genesee County with the latest DWI.

“How do I answer the victims of the future DWI victims?” the judge said. “You are going to kill someone. Alcohol is the biggest enemy in your life, more than any Iraqi has ever hurt you.”

The judge sentenced Truesdell to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison, the maximum sentence as part of a plea deal.

He also lost his driver’s license and will have to install an interlock ignition device when he resumes driving. That device will check his BAC.

“Unfortunately, as decent a person as you are, you are a menace to society in your current condition,” the judge said.

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ALBION – A Rochester man pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree and could be sentenced to up to six months in jail.

Devon Robinson, 23, admitted he was part of a break-in with a truck where cash was stolen.

Robinson said in Orleans County Court on Monday that he smashed the window of a truck in Clarendon on Oct. 19, 2016.

He said he then went back to the vehicle he was driving in while another codefendant took an envelope with cash from the truck. District Attorney Joe Cardone said $8,000 was stolen from the vehicle.

Robinson said in court he knew there was money in the truck after being told by two co-defendants in the crime. But Robinson said he didn’t know how much money, though he knew it was more than $3,000.

He told Judge James Punch that the other codefendants – Brionnah L. Raglan, 21, of Medina and Jade Fayko, 21, of Holley – both took some of the money. The cases against those two are pending in court. (Fayko declined a plea offer on Monday.)

The charge of fourth-degree grand larceny normally carries a 4-year maximum in state prison, but Robinson will face no more than six months in the county jail when he is sentenced on Oct. 2.

In other cases in court on Monday:

• Jenia Suarez-Jimenez, 25, of Telegraph Road in Medina was arraigned for criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.

She was charged in April for allegedly selling hydrocodone in Medina and western Orleans County. The judge set bail at $10,000.

• Charles J. Knapp, 48, of East Center Street in Medina was arraigned on three counts each of criminal sales of a controlled substance in the fifth degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.

He was arrested on March 1 after an investigation into the sale and distribution of prescription pills (Aprazolam).

Knapp has prior felonies, Cardone said. The judge set bail at $25,000.

• Allen Snook of Medina was congratulated for completing a drug diversion program, which resulted in a felony being reduced to a misdemeanor drug crime.

Snook finished a drug addiction program, stayed off drugs and has a job. He was praised by Judge Punch.

“Congratulations, Allen,” Punch said. “You did a great job.”

Snook told the judge he appreciated his help.

“Thank you for the opportunity to get my life together,” Snook said.

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Press Release, Undersheriff Chris Bourke

HOLLEY – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that Alexandra L. Finnefrock, 24, and her son Joseph Theo Williams, 2 ½, have been located this evening in Rochester.

Working together with our law enforcement partners in the area, we were able to locate mother and son and bring this search to a safe conclusion for both parties. We in the law enforcement community would like to thank the community for their tips, information and support during this effort.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s would like to give special thanks to the Rochester Police Department, The United States Marshall Service Missing Person Task Force, The United States Secret Service, and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for their expertise and assistance in this case.

Alexandra L. Finnefrock was arrested on a warrant for endangering the welfare of a child and arraigned by Judge Passarell in the Town of Murray Court. Bail was set at $5,000 cash and Finnefrock is scheduled to return to the Town of Murray Court on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Her son has been turned over to family members. A temporary Order of Protection was issued regarding the child.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and Orleans County Child Protective Services will continue the investigation into this matter.

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ALBION – Two people were sentenced on Monday to incarceration for selling cocaine in Albion.

A Rochester man with a criminal history received four years in state prison, the maximum sentence as part of a plea deal.

Jeffrey R. Magee

Jeffrey R. Magee, 35, of Parsells Avenue pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, which normally carries up to 8 years in state prison.

He admitted in a previous court appearance that he had cocaine and sold it in Albion on Feb. 15.

His attorney, David Wade, said Magee had two other jobs and needed some extra money to help pay for medical costs for his 9-year-old son.

“He has the ability to come back from this and be a productive person in society,” Wade told Judge James Punch during sentencing.

The judge refused to give Magee any leniency, and said the defense shouldn’t use the boy as a rationale for selling drugs.

“You are a self-centered drug dealer,” Punch said.

In another sentencing, a 17-year-old boy from Rochester was given 90 days in jail and five years probation for selling cocaine.

The boy, a first time offender, was given youthful offender status. His name shouldn’t be published.

He pleaded guilty to having cocaine and trying to sell it in Albion on March 29.

The judge urged the boy to not continue down a criminal path.

“Otherwise you’ll spread a lot of misery to other people and be miserable yourself,” Punch said.

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ALBION – A Hamlin man was given the maximum of a year in the Orleans County Jail for driving under the influence of heroin and other drugs, and striking and seriously injuring a girl last Sept. 16 on County Line Road in Murray.

County Court Judge James Punch said he wished he could have sentenced Cody L. Buzard to prison, but Buzard is a first-time offender and the maximum sentence for the crime is a year in jail.

Buzard admitted in County Court in April to using heroin and other drugs on Sept. 16, when he hit a 14-year-old girl with a pickup truck and then fled the scene.

He pleaded guilty to attempted vehicular assault in the second degree, driving while ability impaired by drugs and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

The aunt of the injured girl addressed the court, saying her niece was unrecognizable when she was found lying by the road after being hit by the pickup. Her legs were black from bruising, with one at a grotesque angle. She needed a metal plate in her pelvis, a screw in her back, and 13 staples in her stomach after surgery for her kidney and liver.

The teen faced a long road to recovery, but has rebounded due to her courage and determination, her aunt told the court today during sentencing.

District Attorney Joe Cardone said Buzard had taken numerous narcotics.

“He had nearly every substance in his system you could imagine,” Cardone said at sentencing. “This victim will have scars that are emotional and physical the rest of her life.”

Buzard’s attorney Larry Koss said his client has stayed away from alcohol and drugs since the accident 10 months ago.

Buzard feels “tremendous regret” over the accident, Koss said.

“This is not something where he will just go on with his life,” Koss said. “It’s been a driving force for change in his life.”

Buzard has completed a relapse prevention program through the Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and is determined to stay off drugs, Koss said.

Judge Punch said Buzard hurt a child, which is a “terrible tragedy.” Other drivers have hit children, Punch said, but Buzard did “with an incredible cocktail of illegal drugs in his system.”

He then drove away from the scene on County Line Road after the accident at about 8 p.m. (After driving away, he came back to the scene and turned himself over to investigators about an hour after the incident.)

“It’s a very selfish act to take that many drugs and drive a car because you take a chance of hurting someone,” Punch said. “And then you did the cowardly act of driving away and leaving a child by the side of the road.”

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MEDINA – Two Pearl Street residents in the village have been charged with selling drugs in Medina.

Derrick Adams

The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force and Medina Police Department on Friday executed a search warrant at 214 Pearl St., Apartment 3. That is the residence of the couple facing drug charges.

Derrick Adams, 29, and Catherine J. Medina, 27, have been charged following an investigation in the sale and distribution of cocaine in Medina, the Task Force reported.

Catherine Medina

Adams has been charged with 4 counts each of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, which  are Class B felonies.

He was arraigned by Ridgeway Town Justice Dawn Keppler, who sent him to the Orleans County Jail on $50,000 bail. He was scheduled to return to court this morning at 9 a.m.

Catherine J. Medina was charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, and two counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree.

She was arraigned by Judge Keppler and sent to jail on $1,000 bail. She also was scheduled to appear in court at 9 this morning.

The Medina Police Department K9 Unit and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office also assisted the Task Force. This investigation is ongoing, and further charges and arrests are pending, said Joe Sacco, supervising investigator.

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ALBION – Orleans County Court Judge James Punch arraigned four people in County Court on Monday for grand larceny charges.

• Shane S. Woolston, 26, of Waterport is charged with five counts of fourth-degree grand larceny and six counts of petit larceny.

Judge Punch set bail at $25,000 for Woolston, who allegedly stole a car as well as several credit and debit cards, using them to make numerous purchases. Woolston has previous criminal convictions, District Attorney Joe Cardone said during the arraignment.

“He has an extremely serious heroin problem,” Cardone told Judge Punch.

• Jason M. Hirtreiter, 29, of Medina is charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree, petit larceny and obstruction of governmental administration.

The judge bail at $25,000 for Hirtreiter, who has previous criminal convictions and was on parole with the latest charges. He also has failed to appear during some previous court appearances.

• David L. Timmer III, 38, of Medina is charged with burglary in the third degree, grand larceny in the fourth degree and criminal possession of stolen property. He is accused of burglarizing Tim Horton’s in Medina and taking money from the business.

The judge set bail at $10,000.

• Kenya L. Yawn of Rochester is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny for allegedly stealing from the WalMart in Albion. The judge set bail at $10,000.

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ALBION – Orleans County Court was busy this afternoon with several arraignments for people accused of drug crimes in the county.

The arraignments include:

• Lamar L. Nelson, 28, of Monroe Avenue in Rochester. On approximately May 1, he sold cocaine and had it in his possession, according to the indictment.

He faces multiple charges of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession in the fourth degree as well as criminally using drug paraphernalia.

County Court Judges James Punch set bail at $50,000, citing Nelson’s previous criminal and a failure to appear in court.

Nelson was arrested on May 1 with two codefendants following an investigation in the sale of crack cocaine from Rochester to Albion.

One of the other codefendants, Virginia A. Rivera, 36, of West Avenue in Albion also was arraigned in court for criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Rivera doesn’t have a prior criminal record, but Punch said she was actively involved in the drug sales in Albion.

He set bail at $10,000 for her.

Another codefendant, Shanya Beasley, 38, of Kingston Street in Rochester is expected to be arraigned in County Court later this month.

Andrew Coley, 19, of Platt Street in Albion was arraigned on multiple drug charges for allegedly selling crack cocaine in Orleans County. He was arraigned on criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance  in the third degree, as well as criminal sale in the fifth.

Judge Punch set bail at $10,000.

Coley is awaiting sentencing on a different charge for endangering the welfare of a child. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 26 and could face a year in jail for that charge.

A mother and son are both facing drug charges after the mother allegedly tried to introduce the narcotic Soboxone into the Orleans County Jail.

Joshua Grosskopf, 26, faces 2 counts of first-degree promoting prison contraband and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Grosskopf is serving a 6-month sentence for petit larceny.

Judge Punch said Grosskopf has two prior felonies. The judge set bail at $50,000.

Grosskopf’s mother, Mary Walton, 58, of Albion is expected to be arraigned later this month for promoting prison contraband by allegedly bringing the narcotic into the jail.

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Sharon Davis had first of string of DWIs in Barre, with BAC of .26%

Sharon Davis

ALBION – A Livingston County woman was arraigned in Orleans County Court this afternoon for the first of her four driving while intoxicated arrests – all in the past three months.

Sharon Davis, 54, of Geneseo was arrested on April 21 in Barre and registered a 0.26 percent Blood Alcohol Content.

She was arrested for DWI in Batavia on May 15, and then on June 24 in Geneseo, and a day later in Lakeville, Livingston County.

The judges set bail at $5,000 each in Batavia, and the two courts in Livingston County.

James Punch, Orleans County Court judge, this afternoon set bail at $20,000.

“I’m very concerned about the set of circumstances,” Punch said in setting bail for Davis.

She appeared in court today wearing the inmate-issued clothing from the Livingston County Jail.

District Attorney Joe Cardone said Davis has a prior DWI felony in Monroe County in 2008.

Davis’s attorney, Kevin McKain, said she doesn’t have a prior criminal history outside of the “drinking-related offenses.”

She is due back in Orleans County Court on July 26 for a conference.

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Harold Hill Jr.

ALBION – A Lockport man was sentenced to the maximum of 5 years in prison today as part of a plea deal for having cocaine.

Harold D. Hill Jr., 39, of Pine Street in Lockport has been in the county jail since last July, when he was arrested at Salt Works Road in Medina.

Hill had the cocaine, which weighed 0.65 ounces, concealed in his mouth. He pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, which normally carries a maximum of 8 years in state prison.

He pleaded guilty on May 1 and faced a maximum of 5 years in state prison. Judge James Punch gave Hill the maximum as part of the plea, despite a request from Hill’s attorney for leniency and a sentence that included drug addiction treatment in prison.

Hill is a second felony offender. His criminal history is connected to his struggles with drug addiction, his attorney told the judge in court today.

“You have had many, many opportunities to address one of your core problems – drug addiction,” Punch said.

Hill hasn’t addressed his drug problems, Punch said. A drug treatment program as part of the sentence wasn’t “a realistic expectation” given Hill’s criminal history, the judge said.

“This problem with drugs is a cancer in our society and you’re spreading it into our community,” Punch said.

In addition to five years incarceration, Hill will have two years of post-release supervision.

In other cases today:

• A Medina man was sentenced to six months in the county jail after getting his third arrest for drunk driving or driving while ability impaired.

Edgar L. Rosario, 30, of Medina was sentenced today for felony DWI. He was arrested on Sept. 25 after he was allegedly driving drunk with a BAC of 0.18 percent and struck a house on Eagle Harbor Road.

In addition to six months in jail, Rosario will be on probation for five years.

“I’m sorry to my family and everyone,” Rosario said during sentencing.

The judge said Rosario is fortunate the sentence was the county jail and not state prison.

“People are entitled to a mistake, but you’ve had three,” Punch told Rosario. “I don’t think you’ve graduated to the state prison system, but you’re very close.”

• A Holley resident was arraigned on first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.

David L. Durbano, 32, of Ridge Road allegedly had sexual contact with a 9-year-old girl. The judge set bail at $20,000.

• Jacob T. Marks, 28, of Densmore Street in Albion was arraigned for third-degree grand larceny and petit larceny. He allegedly took a credit card and jewelry from the victim in the crime and spent $38,000 in unauthorized purchases from September 2016 to April 2017.

The judge set bail for Marks at $10,000.

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ALBION – Two people have been arrested for allegedly selling crack cocaine in Albion, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force is reporting.

Wayne F. Mormino

The arrests were made on Wednesday and today following an investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine from Rochester to Albion.

The Task Force and Albion Police Department the following on numerous felony drug charges:

• Wayne F. Mormino, 57, of 431 West State St., Lot 17, Albion. He is charged with one count of each of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (both Class B felonies), and one county of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree (Class D felony).

Dale M. Jones

Mormino was arraigned in Gaines Town Court by Town Justice Bruce Schmidt and committed to the Orleans County Jail on $25,000 bail. He is to return to Albion Town Court on June 29 at 9 a.m.

• Dale M. Jones, 47, of 108 Burrows St., Rochester. He was charged with one count each of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (Class B felonies).

Jones was arraigned in Albion Town Court by Town Justice Joe Fuller. Jones was committed to the County Jail on $75,000 bail. He is due back in Albion Town Court on June 28 at 9 a.m.

This investigation is ongoing and more charges and arrests are pending, the Task Force said.

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ALBION – A Holley man admitted in Orleans County Court on Monday to selling drugs while he was living at the Holley Hotel.

Mathew P. Stearns, 34, was arrested on April for allegedly selling heroin. He pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and faces up to 3 ½ years in state prison when he is sentenced on Aug. 7.

The charge normally carries a maximum of up to 8 years in prison. He also faces 1 ½ to 3 years of post-release supervision.

Judge James Punch also set bail at $25,000 on Monday.

In another guilty plea on Monday, Luis Ramos-Perez of Albion pleaded guilty to violating probation and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

He was arrested for driving while intoxicated on April 29 by the state police.

He has two prior felonies. One term of his probation was not to drink alcohol.

Ramos-Perez is in the country on a Green Card. Judge Punch said the guilty plea for the latest charge could result in Ramos-Perez being deported after incarceration.

Ramos-Perez is being held without bail until the sentencing on Aug. 7.

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Lucas Porter will likely face additional prison time on July 3 for assault

ALBION – A Medina teen was sentenced today to 1 to 3 years in state prison for violating probation. Lucas Porter, 18, could face more time when he is sentenced on July 3 for assault.

Porter has been on probation after being charged with a burglary in Albion in March 2015.

He admitted to stabbing a Buffalo man near his heart and lung at a house party on Nov. 6 in Ridgeway.

In addition to stabbing the man, Porter also allegedly stabbed a 2013 Honda car with a large knife as friends of the victim were attempting to leave the scene and transport the victim to the hospital.

District Attorney Joe Cardone today requested $26,225 in restitution for medical bills and $2,099 in insurance reimbursements for the damaged car. Judge James Punch set a restitution hearing for 2 p.m. on July 3. Punch wants to know if insurance or other government programs will pay for the medical costs.

Porter, during an April 10 court appearance, admitted to stabbing the Buffalo man who did not have a weapon.

Porter just missed stabbing the man in his heart, but did puncture his lungs. The victim was hospitalized in intensive care for 10 days. He has recovered enough to have the charges downgraded from first-degree to second-degree assault.

Porter accepted a plea deal in Orleans County Court on April 10. Second-degree assault normally carries a maximum of 7 years in state prison. Porter, as part of the plea deal, will face up to 4 years in state prison when he is sentenced July 3.

“This was a mistake,” Porter during sentencing this afternoon for the probation violation. “I won’t make a lifetime habit out of it.”

Punch said Porter didn’t take probation seriously and needs to spend some time in prison.

“You already have a serious criminal history,” Punch said.

In another sentencing today:

A Webster teen-age girl was sentenced to 30 days in jail and three years of probation.

The teen was granted youthful offender so her name shouldn’t be published.

She was arrested at an Albion motel on Oct. 6 after being found with cocaine. She pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and faced a maximum of a year in jail.

Her attorney, Brian Degnan, asked for no jail and probation only.

But Judge Punch said the teen needed to go jail.

“You have a lot of problems,” the judge said. “You are hanging around with bad people and doing bad things.”

A codefendant in that case, Andrew L. Coley, 19, of Albion is being held without bail after missing a presentencing interview. Coley is to be sentenced on July 26 and could face a year in jail for endangering the welfare of a child.

He also faces felony drug charges after being arrested last month for allegedly selling crack cocaine. That case is separate from the endangering the welfare of a child charge.

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ALBION – Two people were sentenced to either jail or state prison today in Orleans County Court.

A Holley man was sentenced to 1 ½ years in prison for second-degree rape and two counts of criminal sexual act in the second degree.

Anthony Roe, 22, of Holley has already served a six-month sentence in the county jail when he allegedly had sex with a 14-year-old girl in July 2015. Before he was in jail, he allegedly had sex with a different underage girl, resulting in the current charges.

Roe will also be on 10 years of post-release supervision after the prison sentence.

In another sentencing today, a Holley man was sentenced to a year in the county jail for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree and driving while ability impaired.

William Tuttle Jr., 36, of West Albion Road in Holley admitted in a previous court appearance to drinking hard liquor on Oct. 29, before he was stopped in Barre and charged with driving while impaired and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

He had his driver’s license suspended after he was found guilty previously of driving while impaired due to drugs.

Tuttle did not take a breathalyzer to measure his Blood Alcohol Content on Oct. 29, and he also passed a field sobriety test. He had about 2 ounces of hard liquor about an hour before he was pulled over in Barre, Tuttle told Orleans County Court Judge James Punch in a March court appearance.

The judge asked Tuttle if his ability to drive was “impaired by some degree” and Tuttle agreed it was.

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