ALBION – Three people were sentenced to incarceration in Orleans County Court this afternoon.

Morris Taylor, 28, of Albion was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison for violating his probation. He was recently charged with driving while intoxicated.

He was on probation for five years after admitting in court in July 2014 that he sold cocaine in Albion. As part of that sentence, he served six months in jail and was on probation.

Judge Sara Sheldon wanted to give Taylor weekends in jail for violating probation, but said she couldn’t because he had already served time in jail as part of the sentence that included probation.

“I’m afraid I don’t have  a lot of options of this,” Sheldon said.

In other cases:

• Corey Goebel, 27, of Rochester was sentenced to 6 months in jail and 5 years of probation for third-degree burglary. He admitted in a previous court appearance to entering a garage on June 21, 2017, and intending to a commit a crime in Clarendon on Monroe-Orleans Countyline Road.

Goebel faces a similar charge in Monroe County and the sentencings will run at the same time.

As part of the sentencing in Orleans County, Goebel needs to pay $1,000 restitution to the victim, which is the deductible paid to the insurance company.

• A former Middleport resident was sentenced to a drug treatment program through the state prison system.

Nichole Hart, 27, allegedly broke into a house Dec. 28, 2014 on East Lee Road in Barre. She pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary with a maximum of 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison.

However, she was accepted into a diversion program. If she had been successful in the program, the felony would have been dismissed and she would have been sentenced to a misdemeanor.

Sheldon said Hart had some success in the program. The judge believes Hart is still a good candidate to succeed in drug treatment. If she doesn’t do well in the Willard program in the state prison system, she will have to do 1 ½ to 3 years of regular prison time.

As part of the sentence today, Hart was ordered to pay $9,174 in restitution.

• An Albion man appeared in court for a bail hearing. Clarence Dunbar, 48, of Chamberlain Street was arrested on Sept. 12 and is accused of selling cocaine.

He has been charged with 3 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and 5 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.

He has been in jail since Sept.12 with no bail set by a town justice. Joanne Best, the public defender, asked for a “manageable” bail for Dunbar, about $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond.

She noted Dunbar has a criminal history, but his previous most recent arrest was in 2008.

Judge Sanford Church presided over the case. He said Dunbar was involved in at least three drug sales on different dates with the latest arrest. Church set bail at $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.

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MEDINA – A Medina man was sentenced to 20 years in state prison today after being found guilty of multiple counts of rape and criminal sexual act.

Gerardo Quiros

Gerardo Quiros, 31, was found guilty on June 25 during a trial. Judge Sara Sheldon this afternoon sentenced him to 10 years in prison for four counts of first-degree rape, and also 10 years for two counts of criminal sexual act in the first degree. The 10 years will be served separately for each, meaning a 20-year sentence.

Quiros also will have at least 10 years of post-release supervision.

He also was sentenced for misdemeanors today. Those sentences, all a year or less in the county jail, will be served concurrently or the same time with the state prison sentence.

The misdemeanors include two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, one count of third-degree assault, one count of endangering the welfare of a child, one count of criminal mischief in the fourth degree, and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana.

Quiros intends to appeal the jury’s decision, his attorney Scott Riordan told Judge Sheldon today. Because of the impending appeal, Riordan advised Quiros not to speak during sentencing today.

Quiros in July was found guilty after he allegedly held a woman against her will for several weeks, while physically and sexually assaulting her.

On Aug. 7 he pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors after he allegedly barged into a home on Root Road in Barre and tried to drag his girlfriend out of the house by her feet. He was stopped by her brother, who made Quiros leave at gunpoint.

The judge issued several orders of protection today.

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ALBION – An Albion man admitted in Orleans County Court on Thursday to selling cocaine in the county in January.

Jason Abron, 44, of Lydun Drive pleaded guilty to criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree. As part of a plea agreement, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 4 years in state prison on Dec. 20.

District Attorney Joe Cardone said Abron was arrested on March 9 after a series of controlled buys through the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force.

In other cases in County Court on Thursday:

• Jason P. Muck, 40, of Lyndonville pleaded guilty to felony driving while intoxicated and could face up to a year in jail when he is sentenced on Nov. 29.

He was charged after being stopped on March 30 by State Police on Route 63 in the Town of Yates. He registered a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.17 percent, about twice the legal limit.

• A Wyoming County man admitted to accepting about $8,000 for two construction jobs in Orleans County without doing the work.

Dean Smith Jr. pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree and will be sentenced on Dec. 20. He could face jail time and probation as part of a plea agreement.

• Jenna Zagara of Lockport admitted to using someone else’s credit card without approval to pay bills. She allegedly racked up $1,905 in unauthorized spending. She has already paid restitution.

She pleaded guilty to petit larceny. As part of a plea deal, she won’t face time in jail when she is sentenced on Dec. 20.

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ALBION – A Buffalo man who fired a gun inside O’Brien’s Tavern in Medina on Dec. 10, 2017 was sentenced to 4 years in state prison today.

Patrick Casanova, 24, has three other charges for possession of a weapon as part of nine arrests in the past two years, District Attorney Joe Cardone told County Court Judge Sanford Church at sentencing this morning.

“This defendant for years has been involved in numerous incidents involving firearms and menacing individuals,” Cardone said. “This is an individual who clearly belongs in prison.”

Casanova is represented by Public Defender Joanne Best. She said the three other weapons charges were dismissed.

The charge in Orleans County, criminal possession of weapon in the second degree, is his first felony conviction as an adult, Best said.

She said Casanova didn’t have any intent to hurt someone when the gun was fired at O’Briens. She said Casanova is bipolar with emotional instability issues. His mother was murdered while he was incarcerated as a youthful offender, Best said.

“He is not denying he has some very serious issues he has to resolve,” she said.

Casanova apologized for the crime and acknowledged, “I know my record is not good.”

Best asked the judge for a 2-year sentence which was the minimum as part of a plea deal. The maximum was 7 years in prison.

Judge Church decided to give Casanova 4 years in prison. That sentence will also satisfy the sentence for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. Casanova faced a year in jail for that charge.

The judge urged Casanova to take full responsibility for his conduct, and work towards a law-abiding life.

“You’re young enough where it’s not too late to turn things around,” Church said.

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Brandon Foster

ALBION – An Albion teen-ager who is accused of nearly killing his grandmother during a late-night attack on July 8 was arraigned in Orleans County Court today.

Brandon Foster, 17, was arraigned on charges of second-degree assault, first-degree burglary, and two counts each of second-degree burglary and petit larceny. He is represented by Joanne Best, the public defender, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Foster on July 8 allegedly went to home of his grandmother, Rachael Spearance, located just outside the Village of Albion. Foster entered the residence just after midnight. He allegedly climbed on a chair and forced a rear window open. Upon climbing through a window, Foster proceeded to the bedroom and began attacking his grandmother with a knife as she slept in bed, Undersheriff Chris Bourke said on July 9.

Spearance began fighting back. Foster then placed her in a choke hold. Spearance was able to get away from Foster’s grasp and confront him about what he was doing. Foster then stole $23 cash and the victim’s cell phone and climbed out a different window and fled the scene, Bourke said.

Spearance, while bleeding profusely, was able to leave the residence and drive to Medina Memorial Hospital. Spearance was then transported to the Erie County Medical Center by Mercy Flight. Because she is recovering from her injuries, Foster no longer is facing the initial attempted murder charge.

Best, his attorney, said Foster has no prior criminal record.

District Attorney Joe Cardone said Foster was “essentially homeless” at the time of the incident. The DA asked that bail remain at $50,000 cash and $100,000 bond. Foster is currently an inmate in the Orleans County Jail.

“These are very serious charges with serious injuries with a dangerous instrument,” Cardone said.

Best responded that Foster has a place to stay available with a local family. She asked that bail be reduced.

Judge Sanford Church set bail at $25,000 cash and $50,000 bond. He also ordered a psychological and psychiatric evaluation for Foster. The judge also approved an order of protection for Foster’s grandmother.

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ALBION – A Rochester man who admitted to selling cocaine in Albion on Aug. 30, 2017, was sentenced to 3 ½ years in state prison.

Jahquan E. Coleman, 26, faced up to 4 years in prison as part of a plea deal for attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Judge Charles Zambito gave Coleman a break from the maximum sentence with 3 ½ years in prison, plus 3 years of post-release supervision. Because Coleman is a second-felony offender, the judge said he had to give Coleman at least 3 ½ years in prison.

Coleman has been in a drug treatment program while in the county jail.

“I would like to apologize today to the Town of Albion for the crimes I committed, for bringing drugs into the community,” Coleman said during sentencing this morning in County Court. “I know what I did was a terrible mistake.”

Coleman’s previous felony was for second-degree assault in Monroe County. He was convicted in April 2013.

“I feel you’re being sincere,” Zambito told Coleman. “You have a prior criminal history but it doesn’t involve drug sales.”

However, the judge said incarceration is warranted for the drug crime.

“It’s a serious problem and it affects a lot of people,” Zambito said.

In other cases:

• A Medina man was sentenced to six months in jail and five years of probation for setting his neighbor’s garage on fire.

Demetri Gordon, 24, faced arson, criminal mischief and burglary charges for the incident on Aug. 9, 2017 on South Main St.

“I apologize for everything I’ve done,” Gordon said in court today.

The fire was contained to the garage, which was attached to a house. Judge Zambito said the fire could have spread and caused more damage, even death.

“I agree with the district attorney that this is very serious and potentially life-threatening,” Zambito said.

There will be a hearing Oct. 18 to determine how much restitution Gordon needs to pay for the fire.

• Todd Brown, 30, of Brockport pleaded guilty to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree. He said he tried to sell cocaine in Orleans County on March 7, 2017.

As part of a plea deal, he faces up to 3 years in state prison and 2 years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on Nov. 15. He also has to pay $930 restitution to the Orleans County Major Felony Crimes Task Force.

• Breanna Eaton, 25, of Medina was terminated from a diversion program. If she had stayed drug-free and followed the rules of the program, a felony charge would have been dismissed and she would have been sentenced to a misdemeanor with no jail.

She will now be sentenced for fourth-degree grand larceny, which has a maximum of 1 to 3 years in state prison.

“She has tried her best,” her attorney Nathan Pace told the judge.

She will be sentenced Dec. 13.

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Kevin J. McMullen

ALBION – The Albion Police Department on Monday arrested Kevin J. McMullen, 32, for criminally negligent homicide following a nine-month investigation after his wife, Megan McMullen, died of a fatal overdose on Dec. 18, 2017.

Mr. McMullen was arrested at his residence, 12394 West Lee Road, in the Town of Albion. The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Albion Police in taking McMullen into custody.

The arrest follows a joint investigation by the Albion Police Department, Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, Orleans County District Attorney’s Office and the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Megan McMullen, 33, died on Dec. 18 at 346 West State St. in the Village of Albion as a result of an overdose of the opiate fentanyl, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni said.

The investigation revealed that Kevin McMullen transported Megan to the City of Rochester where he provided fentanyl to her. Megan subsequently overdosed on the fentanyl causing her to go into respiratory arrest, Nenni said.

Kevin McMullen performed rescue breaths on Megan until she began breathing. Kevin McMullen then transported his wife back to their residence at 346 West State St., where she again overdosed on the fentanyl that Kevin had given her, the police chief said.

After the second overdose, Megan went into cardiac arrest with her husband administering CPR. Kevin McMullen, instead of calling 911 to get medical assistance for Megan, then injected the fentanyl into himself, Nenni said.

Kevin McMullen didn’t call 911 until several hours later. When the Albion Police and ambulance staff arrived, Megan McMullen was found to be deceased and beyond the time frame of lifesaving medical intervention, the police chief said.

Kevin McMullen is charged with criminally negligent homicide for allegedly providing the lethal fentanyl and for failing to get her medical assistance which could have saved Megan’s life. He also is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell because he allegedly provided Megan with the lethal fentanyl, Nenni said.

McMullen was arraigned in the Town of Albion Court and placed in the Orleans County Jail on $50,000 bail. He is to return to court on Sept. 7.

As a result of this investigation by the Albion Police and Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, several dealers of the lethal opiates, fentanyl and heroin, were identified in the City of Rochester.

“These dealers were supplying Orleans County and responsible for several overdoses and possibly other overdose related deaths,” Nenni said. “Several arrests have been made and quantities of the deadly opiates taken off the streets.”

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ALBION — Two men from Rochester who are accused of selling lethal fentanyl in Orleans County appeared in County Court on Thursday on charges of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, which carries a minimum sentence of five years in state prison and as much as 25 years.

Giovanni M. Serrano, 19, and Charles Serrano, 21, are allegedly part of a four-person drug ring that was arrested in May. The four allegedly sold an extremely lethal fentanyl that resulted many overdoses in Orleans County.

Nevin Raul Martinez, 18, and a 15-year-old also were charged in the multi-agency investigation that included the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Rochester Police Department Tactical Unit, ICE/Homeland Security investigations and the Albion Police Department.

Law enforcement searched three houses in Rochester and seized 35 grams of fentanyl, six grams of heroin, marijuana, and more than $7,000 in cash, along with scales, packaging and other drug paraphernalia.

The two Serranos both pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday in an appearance before Judge Sanford Church. The two defendants are each in the county jail on $100,000 cash bail and $200,000 bond.

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ALBION – An Albion man continued to proclaim his innocence in Orleans County Court on Thursday, and rejected a plea offer.

Robert Tetrault, 37, faces charges of predatory sexual assault against a child after he allegedly had sexual intercourse and committed another sex act against a child. He has maintained his innocence since he was indicted on May 3.

Tetrault is accused of repeatedly abused a child, age 9, from January to July 2012. He has been in the county jail since he was charged. Bail is set at $50,000 cash and $250,000 bond. The charges carry a maximum of 25 years in prison.

After Tetrault refused a plea on Thursday, County Court Judge Sanford Church set Oct. 29 for the start of a trial in the case.

Tetrault has a lengthy criminal history and has served four state prison terms, most recently when he was convicted on charges of attempted second-degree assault and third-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon. He was sentenced to 2 to 4 years in state prison in October 2013 after fighting someone with a knife on May 23, 2013. Tetrault caused a severe laceration across another’s person hand who tried to intervene in the fight. He was released from prison in May 2017.

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ALBION — Two people pleaded guilty to felony crimes today in Orleans County Court and could be sentenced to jail

Ridge A. Forrest, 27, of Harford in Cortland County admitted to trying to bring Suboxone into the Albion Correctional Facility in March 5.

He pleaded guilty to attempted promoting prison contraband in the fifth degree, a charge that carries a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison.

However, as part of a plea deal, Forrest will face no more than six months in jail and up to 5 years on probation.

He also has to pay $375 for a court surcharge, crime victims fee and DNA fee.

He will be sentenced on Dec. 6.

A Medina woman admitted to having cocaine in a friend’s dresser on March 1. Rebekah Champlin pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. That charge carries a maximum of 1 to 2 ½ years in state prison. As part of a plea deal, she will face no more than six months in jail and up to 5 years on probation.

Champlin and Collen Poole are co-defendants in the case. He appeared with her in court today. Champlin told Judge Sanford Church that Poole didn’t know she had put the cocaine in the dresser. It was discovered by law enforcement during a search.

Poole is represented by Public Defender Joanne Best. She told the judge she would file the paperwork to have felony charges dismissed against Poole, who rejected a plea offer to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, with a cap of five years in state prison.

Champlin will be sentenced on Nov. 26.

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