Press Release, Medina Police Department

MEDINA – During the month of May, the Medina Police Department received several complaints of counterfeit money being passed around at local businesses. As the cases were investigated it was learned the money was being manufactured locally and was largely used to purchase illegal drugs.

This money was also disseminated and intentionally passed to businesses knowing that the money was forged. On May 5, suspects successfully passed counterfeit money to a business on Maple Ridge Road in Medina. On May 8, the same suspects and additional suspects successfully passed counterfeit money again to four other businesses.

Not all transactions were identified immediately as most bills were caught after being deposited at local banks. This caused some of the cases to go unreported as long as two or three weeks later, or not reported at all.

An investigation by the Medina Police Department was able to develop information that identified four individuals who have been arrested. The investigation is still ongoing, and further arrests are pending.

The following have been arrested:

Peter Jones, 21 of Medina, charged with two counts of Possessing a Forged Instrument 1st Degree (C Felony);

Michael Burch, 18, of Medina, charged with Possessing a Forged Instrument 1st Degree (C Felony);

Kyle Allport, 18, of Medina, charged with Possessing a Forged Instrument 1st Degree (C Felony);

Sebastian Bonk, 24, of Medina, charged with two counts of Possessing a Forged Instrument 1st Degree (C Felony) and Criminal Tampering with Physical Evidence (E Felony).

The Medina Police encourage patrons, as well as businesses to work together in an attempt to identify counterfeit bills. Businesses should use counterfeit markers whenever practical and be observant for the obvious indicators such as no ribbon printed in the bill, off center cut edges, and the way the bill feels compared to others.

When receiving multiple bills at one time try to check serial numbers as counterfeit bills will usually have the same number. As a customer, beware that a business may receive the bill and then accidently pass it as change. Identifying forged money as quick as possible greatly increases the chances of solving these cases and catching those responsible.

This investigation was conducted by officer. Brian Marsceill. Assisting was officer Greg Fraser. Anyone having additional information on these cases involving counterfeit money or other cases please contact the Medina Police Department at 585-798-5602.

ALBION – An inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion had another 1 ½ to 3 years added to his prison sentence today after being sentenced for attempted promoting of prison contraband in the first degree.

Scott Briggs, 31, of Broome County is an inmate at the prison in Albion, serving a 6- to 7-year sentence for burglary and possession of stolen property. His mother Lori Briggs, 54, of Endicott allegedly mailed her son a painkiller on three occasions and also had it during a prison visitation.

She admitted in Orleans County Court on May 2 to mailing Suboxone to her son, who said in court that he requested his mother mail it to him.

The younger Briggs requested to be sentenced to a drug treatment program through the state correctional system, but Orleans County Court Judge James Punch declined that request today. Punch said Briggs twice had his probation revoked.

“You never took it seriously,” the judge told Briggs during sentencing this afternoon.

Correctional Facility staff intercepted the Suboxone sent by Briggs’ mother. She faces a maximum sentence of 1 to 3 years in prison as part of a plea deal when she is sentenced on July 25.

In other cases in court today:

Brandie Sumeriski, 21, of Albion was sentenced to six months in the county jail in an intermittent sentence from 6 p.m. on Mondays to 8 a.m. on Fridays.

Sumeriski was sentenced for violating her probation. She admitted during a June 6 court appearance to violating probation by drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, socializing with people she wasn’t supposed to be around, not earning her GED, not completing her community service, and not attending mental health sessions regularly. Judge Punch said those represent “substantial violations” of probation.

David M. Mitchell, 27, pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted promoting prison contraband. Mitchell, an inmate in the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion, allegedly sharpened two metal instruments to use as weapons in the prison. Those weapons were confiscated on Feb. 22. He has prior felony convictions.

Mitchell admitted in court today to having two metal shanks in prison. He will be sentenced at 2 p.m. on Oct. 3 and faces a maximum of an additional 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison.

Marcie Conlon of Holley admitted to violating her probation after being charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, going to Monroe County without permission from probation, drinking alcohol, and using hydrocodone twice without a prescription.

Punch said those represents “substantial violations of probation.”

She could face up to two years in prison when she is sentenced at 2 p.m. on Aug. 8.

The judge set bail at $150,000 for a Medina woman facing drug charges. Erika H. Poole, 36, of 4335 Salt Works Rd. was charged last week with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (Class B felony) and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree (Class D felony). She has prior felony convictions.

District Attorney Joe Cardone said in court today that Poole will likely face a weapons charge after an unregistered gun was found in her apartment during a search by police.

Another man charged with reckless endangerment for firing shotgun

MEDINA – Four people were arrested on Wednesday after an investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine in Medina, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported today.

The Task Force, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, the Medina Police Department, and the New York State Division of Parole stopped a vehicle in the Village of Medina. As a result, investigators seized a quantity of crack cocaine and arrested the driver and passenger on drug charges and parole warrants, the Task Force said in a news release.

The investigation then led investigators to an apartment house located at 4335 Salt Works Road in the Town of Shelby, where investigators seized a quantity of crack cocaine from an individual at that location.

During the course of the investigation at 4335 Salt Works Road, an additional person who lives in an adjoining apartment fired a shotgun out a second-story window towards the back of the residence. The individual who fired the shot was subsequently placed into custody by deputies and appeared to be highly intoxicated at the time, the Task Force said.

Law enforcement, as part of the investigation, seized more than 20 grams of crack cocaine, cash, two shotguns and other drug paraphernalia.

The following were arrested:

Erika H. Poole

Erika H. Poole, 36, of 4335 Salt Works Rd., Medina. She was charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (Class B felony) and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree (Class D felony).

Calvin S. Carver

Calvin S. Carver, 27, of 4335 Salt Works Rd., Medina. He was charged with one count of CPCS in the third degree and CPCS in the fifth degree.

Harold D. Hill Jr.

Harold D. Hill Jr., 38, of 198 Pine St., Lockport. He was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Bradley J. Bentley

Bradley J. Bentley, 50, of 4335 Salt Works Rd., Medina. He was charged with one count of reckless endangerment in the first degree for firing the shotgun (Class D felony).

All four were arraigned in the Shelby Town Court by Town Justice Joseph Kujawa. Both Poole and Hill were committed to the Orleans County Jail and held without bail due to their previous criminal histories. Both are to return back to Shelby Town Court on today at 6 p.m.

Carver was committed to the County Jail on $50,000 bail and is to return back to the Shelby Town Court on July 11 at 9 a.m.

Bentley was committed to the County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond and is to return to the Shelby Town Court today at 6 p.m.

Poole and Carver are also being held on parole warrants issued by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

State Police also assisted at 4335 Salt Works Rd.

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ALBION – Orleans County Court Judge James Punch arraigned several people in court for crimes in the county, including burglaries, larcenies and driving while intoxicated.

The following were arraigned:

Daniel Brusie, 40, of Medina was arraigned for fourth-degree grand larceny for allegedly stealing a lawn mower on March 30. He is a persistent felon with two prior felonies, four misdemeanors and three probation revocations, said Judge Punch, who set bail at $100,000.

Evan J. Vanskiver, 24, of Lawrence Road in Hilton was arraigned for felony DWI and criminal possession of a stolen property. He was allegedly driving a stolen vehicle when he was arrested for DWI in Albion on Feb. 25.

He pleaded not guilty. He has a prior felony and two misdemeanors, District Attorney Joe Cardone said in court. The judge set bail at $2,500.

Zachary A. Deville, 22, of Brown Street in Albion and Michael Borrero, 17, of Washington Street in Albion were both arraigned for third-degree burglary, fourth-degree grand larceny, and two counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree.

The two both allegedly broke into The Vape Shop on East Bank Street in Albion on April 11, damaging a door and a laptop computer, and stealing several items, the DA’s Office said.

Trevor Gray, 22, of Maple Road in Corfu was arraigned on charges of third-degree burglary and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He allegedly broke the window of the EZ Shop in Lyndonville, while attempting to break in on May 11.

A former Medina resident pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in the fourth degree and could face a maximum of a year in jail when he is sentenced on Sept. 26. Hamzah Abdur-Rasheed, 22, formerly of East Center Street in Medina admitted in court to damaging a door on May 19, 2014.

KENDALL – Orleans County Court Judge James Punch today set bail at $500,000 for David P. Perry Sr., a Kendall resident who faces 32 counts of charges related to sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of five girls ranging in age from 13 to 15.

Perry first appeared before Punch in court on Monday. The arraignment was completed today when the judge set bail and Perry appeared with assigned counsel, David Morabito of East Rochester.

Morabito entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Perry.

The judge assigned counsel after determining that Perry, who is on Social Security, had an income that qualified for an assigned attorney.

Perry, a resident of Norway Road, was arrested on March 9. He allegedly forced juvenile victims to smoke marijuana and drink alcoholic wine and vodka over several months in 2015. At times, the victims would reportedly consume these substances to the point of becoming impaired and intoxicated, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office reported when he was arrested.

Perry would allegedly make them undress, then he would perform various criminal sexual acts and sexual abuse. It is also alleged that Perry would force the victims to pose for pictures while undressed or partially dressed.

Judge Punch issued orders of protection for the five alleged victims in case. He told Perry that also means he can not have any communication through social media with the girls.

On Monday, he appeared in Orleans County Court in front of Judge James Punch. Perry was arraigned on three counts of third-degree criminal sexual act, 14 counts of first-degree unlawful dealing with a child, 10 counts of sexual abuse in the third degree, and five counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

He also  was arrested on May 12 on child pornography charges, including 15 counts of possession of an obscene sexual performance by a child less than 16 years old.

Approximately 15,000 images of suspected child pornography were found on Perry’s devices, District Attorney Joe Cardone said today in court.

Cardone said the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Buffalo may pursue federal prosecution as well for child pornography crimes.

David P. Perry

KENDALL – A Kendall man was arraigned in Orleans County Court on Monday on 32 counts of charges related to sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of five girls ranging in age from 13 to 15.

David P. Perry Sr., 67, of Norway Road was arrested on March 9. Perry allegedly forced juvenile victims to smoke marijuana and drink alcoholic wine and vodka over several months in 2015. At times, the victims would reportedly consume these substances to the point of becoming impaired and intoxicated, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office reported when he was arrested.

Perry would allegedly make them undress, then he would perform various criminal sexual acts and sexual abuse. It is also alleged that Perry would force the victims to pose for pictures while undressed or partially dressed.

On Monday, he appeared in Orleans County Court in front of Judge James Punch. Perry was arraigned on three counts of third-degree criminal sexual act, 14 counts of first-degree unlawful dealing with a child, 10 counts of sexual abuse in the third degree, and five counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Perry is due back in Orleans County Court today at 11:30 a.m. for a full arraignment with a lawyer. Judge Punch is determining if Perry, who is on Social Security, is eligible for the public defender. Perry needed to fill out a financial form.

The judge also declined to set bail on Monday, but will during today’s court appearance. Perry is being held without bail until the judge sets the amount.

Perry was arraigned on May 12 by Murray Town Justice Ted Spada, who set bail at $250,000. Perry was arraigned on May 12 on child pornography charges, including 15 counts of possession of an obscene sexual performance by a child less than 16 years old.

The initial allegations resulted in a search warrant that was executed in January 2016. A computer and portable hard drive were submitted to the Western New York Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory in Buffalo for analysis.

Approximately 15,000 images of suspected child pornography were found on Perry’s devices that were submitted for analysis. Many of the images found were children between the ages of 2 and 9 years of age, Undersheriff Chris Bourke said last month.

In addition to the charges in Orleans County, Bourke said that Sheriff’s investigators and the Orleans County District Attorney’s office will be working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Buffalo for possible federal prosecution as well.