MURRAY – A Hilton woman allegedly assaulted two Orleans County deputies on Sunday, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office said today.

Sara J. Harris, 34, of Hilton allegedly “head butted” Deputy Josh Narburgh in the face, causing a cut and swelling, and bit down on Deputy Devon Pahuta’s arm, breaking the skin, Undersheriff Chris Bourke said today.

Harris faces multiple charges following the incident in the Town of Murray. Deputies responded to a call at 6:20 a.m. on Sunday, when the 911 center received a frantic call for help from a residence located on Route 31 in Murray.

Deputies arrived and a man in the residence stated that his girlfriend was intoxicated, and had left the house following an altercation. It was also reported that she had an 8-year-old child with her and was bleeding from the leg.

As deputies were arriving in the area, Deputy Narburgh located Harris walking along Route 31. Narburgh reported that Harris then ran into a wooded area pulling and dragging the 8-year-child. Narburgh located Harris in a field.

Harris then allegedly physically resisted being handcuffed and did become disorderly, using profane and racially charged language towards deputies, Bourke said.

While in the patrol vehicle, Harris attempted to kick the windows out and banged her head on the partition. While being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for an evaluation, Harris allegedly became so out of control that an ambulance was called for her safety. While transferring Harris from the patrol vehicle to the ambulance, Harris allegedly was screaming, kicking and spitting on deputies.

She allegedly “head butted” Narburgh in the face and bit Deputy Pahuta’s arm. Deputy Martin Stirk also assisted at the scene. The deputies were treated for their injuries and released.

Harris on Monday was charged with disorderly conduct, endangering the welfare of a child, obstructing governmental administration, two counts of resisting arrest, and two counts of second degree assault on a police officer.

Harris was arraigned by Town of Murray Justice Gary Passarell. Bail was set at $500 and Harris is scheduled to appear in Murray Town Court on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

ALBION – Three people soon to be released from either prison or jail will be registered as sex offenders.Uriah Gentry, who could be released on June 19, has been serving an eight-year prison sentence for attempted criminal sexual act in the first degree. He is currently an inmate at the Gowanda Correctional Facility.

Gentry, 27, was convicted after he allegedly had sexual contact with a 6-year-old boy.

Gentry had a risk assessment hearing in Orleans County Court on Monday with Judge James Punch, who assigned Gentry as a Level 2 sex offender, which is a moderate risk of a repeat offense. His sentence includes 15 years of post-release supervision.

Two other men were assigned Level 1 sex offenders, the lowest risk of a repeat offense.

Christopher Bucci, 36, was sentenced to 1 ½ years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to attempted rape in the second degree. Bucci of Batavia admitted he had sex with a 14-year-old girl on Dec. 28, 2013. He is currently an inmate at Mohawk Correctional Facility and could be released on June 13.

A Holley man serving a six-month sentence in the county jail also was assigned a Level 1 sex offender, the lowest designation. Anthony Roe was sentenced on March 14 to jail for second-degree attempted rape. Roe was 20 when he allegedly had sex with a 14-year-old girl in July.

MEDINA – Two people were arrested on Thursday for selling prescription narcotics in Medina.

Allen E. Snook

Betty J. Russell

The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and Medina Police Department executed a search warrant at 14 Edgewood Drive in the Applewood Trailer Park, where police seized prescription pills (200 MG morphine pills and Zanax), cash, packaging material, several rifles and shotguns, and other drug paraphernalia, The Major Felony Crime Task Force reported.

Police arrested Allen E. Snook, 33, of 14 Edgewood Drive. He was charged with two counts each of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, which are class B felonies.

Police also arrested Betty J. Russell, 57, of 1004 West Ave., who allegedly was selling hydrocodone pills. She was charged with two counts each of both criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Both Snook and Russell were arraigned in Ridgeway Town Court by Town Justice Joseph Kujawa. They were both committed to Orleans County Jail on $25,000 bail. The investigation is ongoing and more charges are pending, the Task Force reported.

ALBION – A mother and son admitted in Orleans County Court to attempting to bring painkillers into the Orleans Correctional Facility.

Scott Briggs, 31, of Broome County is an inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility serving a 6- to 7-year sentence for burglary and possession of stolen property. 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 Monday to mailing Suboxone to her son, who admitted that he requested his mother mail it to him.

Correctional Facility staff intercepted the Suboxone, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.

The mother and son pleaded guilty to attempted promoting of prison contraband in the first degree, a charge that normally carries a maximum of 2 to 4 years in state prison. As part of a plea deal, Mr. Briggs would face no more than 1 ½ to 3 years when he is sentenced July 11 as a second felony offender.

His mother has a past criminal history with misdemeanors, Cardone said. She will face a maximum sentence of 1 to 3 years in prison as part of a plea deal when she is sentenced on July 25.

In another case involving prison contraband, Judge Punch set July 27 for the start of a trial against Ashley J. Sizemore, 31, an inmate in the Albion Correctional Facility.

Sizemore has refused to leave the prison and attend her court appearances. Punch set June 29 at 2 p.m. for a mandatory conference with Sizemore to determine why she is refusing to go to court.

She has been charged with first degree promoting prison contraband which, as a second felony offender, carries a maximum of 3 ½ to 7 years in prison.

She was charged in August, along with Thomas Torpey, a Rochester man who was convicted of a mob-related murder in 1981.

Torpey, 68, was arrested on Aug. 23 by State Police. He is accused of bringing drugs to the prison for Sizemore, who is serving a 42-month sentence for an arson in February 2014 at the Spencerport residence of a former Irondequoit police officer.

The case against Torpey is pending in County Court.

ALBION – Four people were arraigned in Orleans County Court today, facing felony charges.

A Rochester man, Trevis Baker, was arraigned on five counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Baker, 38, allegedly sold heroin and cocaine to an informant from Orleans County between March 15 to March 24.

District Attorney Joe Cardone said Baker has an extensive criminal history.

Judge James Punch set bail for Baker at $150,000.

Other arraignments include:
David M. Mitchell, 27, was arraigned on first-degree promoting prison contraband. Mitchell, an inmate in the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion, allegedly sharpened two instruments to use as weapons in the prison. Those weapons were confiscated on Feb. 22. He has prior felony convictions. Judge Punch set bail at $75,000.

An Albion man was arraigned for fourth-degree grand larceny after he allegedly stole six chainsaws from a Waterport fruit farm, his employer at the time. Dustin Herzog, 27, was on probation when he allegedly stole the chain saws. Punch set bail for Herzog at $2,500.

Brandie Sumeriski, 21, of Albion was arraigned for violating her probation for second-degree criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor. She has been charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in January and again in April. In March she was charged with third-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment. She faces other violations of her probation. The judge released her on her own recognizance today.

Press Release, U.S. Attorney William Hochul’s Office

BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Rico Vendetti, 45, of Rochester was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Vendetti was convicted of racketeering following a home invasion robbery that led to the death of an elderly Medina man.

In addition, Donald Griffin, 28, of Rochester, who was convicted of committing murder in aid of racketeering, was sentenced to 240 months in prison as well.

“This case – which began with shoplifting and ended with murder – justly earned the defendant a lengthy sentence in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “As the case also demonstrates, this Office will utilize all of the tools given by Congress, including the racketeering laws, to bring organized criminals to justice. While unfortunately nothing law enforcement does can restore Mr. Marciniak to his family, certainly today’s sentence brings a measure of closure in that justice has been served.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott S. Allen, Jr., who, along with retired Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony M. Bruce, handled the case, stated that beginning in approximately 2005, the defendant utilized a number of shoplifters who engaged in shoplifting of items from stores such as Walmart, Sears, Target, JoAnn Fabrics, Home Depot, Tops Markets, Wegman’s, and various chain drug stores, most of which were located in Monroe and Genesee counties.

The shoplifters stole merchandise that Vendetti told them he needed which he subsequently sold through eBay accounts he maintained. The defendant paid the shoplifters would buy from the boosters, the defendant told them he would pay them about 25¢ on the dollar of the normal retail price of the merchandise. Using the defendant’s merchandise lists, the shoplifters went into the stores, at times alone and at times in teams, to shoplift.

Among the items stolen in this fashion were breast pumps, Crest Whitestrips, cross stitch and needlepoint kits, electric toothbrushes and replacement heads, computer memory sticks and flash drives, pet supplements and DNA tests for pets, razors, razor blades and replacement razor heads, tool sets, vacuum cleaners, binoculars, batteries, plumbing fixtures and KitchenAid mixers. In total, Vendetti obtained and then sold over $700,000 in merchandise.

In July 2010, the defendant, the former owner of Eastside Gold & Car Audio, formerly in Rochester, hired co-defendant Arlene Combs to travel from Rochester to the Medina home of 78-year-old Homer Marciniak to steal Marciniak’s valuable comic book collection. Combs recruited co-defendants Griffin, Albert Parsons, and Juan Javier for the home invasion, promising each $1,000.

In executing their plan, in the early morning hours of July 4, 2010, Combs, along with Griffin, Parson, and Javier, drove from Rochester to Medina and cut Marciniak’s phone line. In the early morning hours of the following day, July 5, 2010, the gang returned to Marciniak’s home. Wearing ski masks and gloves, Griffin, Parsons, and Javier forcibly entered Marciniak’s home through a first story window.

During the course of the burglary, Marciniak, who had a serious heart condition, woke and confronted the burglars. Griffin struck Marciniak in the face and then, along with Javier, bound his hands with bed linens. Javier then verbally threatened Marciniak with a BB gun in hand. Griffin, Parsons, and Javier ultimately located the comic book collection along with several strong boxes containing cash, coins, and other valuables.

After Griffin, Parsons, and Javier fled the scene with Combs, Marciniak freed himself and was taken to Medina Memorial Hospital for treatment of his facial injuries. After Marciniak was treated and released, however, he suffered a heart attack, was re-admitted to the hospital, and died shortly thereafter. Medical experts concluded that the blow Griffin struck, as well as the emotional trauma caused by the burglary, directly contributed to Marciniak’s cardiac arrest and resulting death.

Griffin, Parsons, and Javier gave the comic books to Combs who, along with another codefendant, Terry Stewart, took the comic books to Vendetti later in the day on July 5. When Vendetti learned that the burglary resulted in Marciniak’s death, Vendetti disposed of the comic books.

Law enforcement officials within the Rochester Police Department identified the defendants during the course of a separate investigation in October 2010. The defendants were arrested soon thereafter. Soon after the arrest, Vendetti attempted to obstruct justice by agreeing to have a phony witness submit a false affidavit, and by telling codefendant Brandon Meade to “keep his mouth shut” if approached by law enforcement.

Convicted in connection with this case:

Rico Vendetti was convicted of racketeering and sentenced to 240 months in federal prison on April 20, 2016.

Donald Griffin was convicted of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering: murder, and sentenced to 240 months in federal prison on April 19, 2016.

Arlene Combs was convicted of racketeering and sentenced to 240 months in federal prison on March 22, 2016.

Albert Parsons was convicted of a violent crime in aid of racketeering: assault resulting in bodily injury, and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 9, 2016.

Juan Javier, who was 17 at the time of the burglary, was prosecuted as an adult in Orleans County, and sentenced to seven years in state prison.

Terry Stewart was convicted of racketeering and was sentenced to 55 months in federal prison.

Dayon Shaver was convicted of conspiring to traffic in stolen goods across state lines on March 21, 2016, and was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison.

Brandon Meade was convicted of conspiring to traffic in stolen goods across state lines and was sentenced on January 21, 2016 to time-served after serving nine months in federal prison.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation on the part of Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Craig Hanesworth, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Scott Hess, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn, the Medina Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jose Avila and Officers from the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli. Special assistance was provided by Orleans County District Attorney Joseph Cardone.

7 arrested after warrant issued to find stolen property

Photo by Tom Rivers – Police search an apartment at 28A East Bank St. this morning.

ALBION – Five people have been arrested after police searched an East Bank Street apartment this morning and discovered methamphetamine was being produced at the site, 28A East Bank St.

Albion police officers executed a search warrant at the apartment. The warrant was related to a police investigation from a burglary that occurred on April 11 at the Vape Shop, 15 East Bank St., Police Chief Roland Nenni said.

As a result of the search warrant, the Police Department recovered stolen property from a burglary. The search warrant also resulted in the seizure of over 4 ounces of methamphetamine and the volatile chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine, Nenni said.

The methamphetamine was being produced in the apartment and was in production when the search warrant was executed, the police chief said.

“Methamphetamine is extremely dangerous to produce and is just as dangerous when ingested,” Nenni said. “Today’s arrests resulted in a dangerous operation being shut down and a large amount of methamphetamine being taken off the street.”

Albion Police were assisted by a specialized team from the New York State Police that handles the mitigation of methamphetamine production operations and by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force. The methamphetamine seized will be sent to a criminal laboratory for official testing. The chemicals and precursors used in the methamphetamine production were rendered safe and will be taken to a hazardous waste disposal site.

As a part of the investigation the Albion Police were assisted by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office in an additional search warrant execution on a vehicle on East Bank Street operated by a suspect who was taken into custody. That search warrant resulted in the seizure of additional stolen property.

Arrested were as follows:

Tara A. Ryan, 19 of 28A East Bank St., Albion. She was charged criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree, (A2-Felony), unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (E-Felony), criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree (A-Misdemeanor), unlawfully growing cannabis (A-Misdemeanor), and unlawful possession of marijuana (violation).

Nicholas D. Barrett, 19, of 28A East Bank St., Albion. He was charged criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree, (A2-Felony), unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (E-Felony), criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree (A-Misdemeanor), unlawfully growing cannabis (A-Misdemeanor), and unlawful possession of marijuana (violation).

Ryan J. Adkins, 22, of 80 Genesee St., Apt. 6, Lockport. He was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree (A2 Felony), unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (E-Felony), and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree (A-Misdemeanor).

Maja L. Pugh, 19, of 80 Genesee St., Apt. 6, Lockport. She was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree (A2 Felony), unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (E-Felony), and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree (A-Misdemeanor).

Bridgette A.M. Fronczak-Reilly, 19, of 80 Genesee St., Apt. 6, Lockport. She was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree (A2 Felony), unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (E-Felony), and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree (A-Misdemeanor).

Shane J. DiPilato, 18, of 1 Nelson St., Holley. He was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree (A2 Felony), unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (E-Felony), and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree (A-Misdemeanor).

Zachary A. Deville, 22, of 101 Brown St., Albion. He was charged with burglary in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), grand larceny in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), conspiracy in the 4th degree (E-Felony), endangering in the welfare of a child (A-Misdemeanor), and criminal mischief in the 4th degree (A-Misdemeanor).
All seven were arraigned and placed in the Orleans County Jail on no bail. They are to return to the Albion Town Court on Wednesday at 9 a.m.

A juvenile male was also taken into custody and was charged with crimes in relation to the burglary. The juvenile male will be returning to Family Court at a later time and was released to a parent.

Nenni said additional arrests and charges are pending.

ALBION – Two people pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court on Monday and could be sentenced to state prison.

Norman Henhawk, 58, of Ridge Road in Holley admitted he was driving drunk and without a license on Dec. 5. Henhawk went through a stop sign and hit another vehicle, causing injuries to people in the other vehicle and Henhawk’s passenger, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.

Henhawk has two prior felonies and several misdemeanors. He said he had seven or eight beers before driving on Dec. 5. His Blood Alcohol Content was 0.17 percent, more than double the legal limit.

He pleaded guilty to aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, DWI misdemeanor and driving with BAC .08 percent or more. He could face a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 29.

In another case, a Brockport man admitted he stole $3,533 worth of copper from a trailer on South Holley Road on Aug. 28.

David Corbitt, 52, of Capen Road pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree. Corbitt has five prior felonies and two parole violations.

He could be sentenced to a maximum of 1 to 3 years in state prison on July 25.

ALBION – Two people will spend time in Orleans County Jail after being sentenced this afternoon by Judge James Punch.

Stuart J. Rodden, 26, of Medina was sentenced to weekends in jail for the next year. He could have spent more time in jail but Punch said Rodden has a full-time job and has taken responsibility.

He warned Rodden if he shows up at jail under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the sentence will be a solid year in jail or more.

“Don’t make me out to be a fool,” the judge told Rodden today.

Rodden faced charges of violating probation, driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. He was arrested on Aug. 7 following the investigation of a motor vehicle accident with an unregistered dirtbike on South Lyndonville Road (Route 63) in the Town of Ridgeway.

“I’m not the same person,” Rodden told Punch during sentencing. “I do work hard. I’ve made mistakes but I’ve grown tremendously in this process.”

Rodden’s attorney Ben Bonargio said Rodden has struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and has received treatment.

In another sentencing today, a Lyndonville man was sentenced to 45 days in jail plus 5 years of probation. David Tower, 36, of Cape Drive faced charges of growing cannabis and criminal possession of marijuana in the second degree.

Marijuana plants seized at Tower’s yard weighed more than 6 pounds at a lab in Niagara County.

Punch said he and the local court system won’t look the other way with marijuana crimes.

“You need to understand and accept our job is to enforce the law and marijuana is against the law,” Punch told Tower during sentencing. “I and the district attorney don’t have the right to pick and choose which laws to enforce.”

ALBION – Two people will be spending time in Orleans County Jail after being sentenced for drug crimes on Monday in Orleans County Court.

Nathan Brege, 23, of Cape Drive in Lyndonville was sentenced to a year in jail for growing and possessing marijuana. Brege in January pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of marijuana in the second degree, which carries a maximum punishment of up to 1 ½ years in state prison.

As part of a plea deal, he was given a maximum of a year in jail. He was sentenced by Judge James Punch.

Brege and his neighbor David Tower, 36, both admitted in previous court appearances to growing marijuana plants in Tower’s yard on Cape Drive. The plants were seized and weighed more than 6 pounds at a lab in Niagara County. Tower is yet to be sentenced but faces up to a year in jail.

In another case, Kaylee M. Loiacono, 27, of Murray was sentenced to four months of weekends in jail, plus four years of probation.

In an October court appearance, she admitted that she sold cocaine from her home on Taylor Road on April 6, 2015. She pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. That charge normally carries a maximum of 2 ½ years in state prison. As part of a plea deal, she faced a maximum of six months in the county jail.

Judge Punch said the drug sale was an “aberration” for Loiacono, who has since been in drug treatment and has no prior criminal history.

Punch told Loiacono to stay away from drugs or she could next face a state prison sentence.

ALBION – An Albion man who pleaded guilty to a weapons charge on March 1, and has been out of jail awaiting sentencing, had his bail increased Monday from $20,000 to $100,000.

Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone requested a higher bail after Christopher D. Rivers Jr. was arrested over the weekend for disorderly conduct, a charge that Cardone said could be upgraded to attempted gang assault. Cardone said Rivers is involved with a local gang, the A Squad.

Rivers on March 1 pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a firearm. He could face up to a year in the county jail when he is sentenced on May 23.

Orleans County Court Judge James Punch said he may not accept that plea deal and could force Rivers to go to trial where he could face a prison sentence.

Christopher D. Rivers Jr.

Rivers in January was arrested on charges of kidnapping, robbery, grand larceny, criminal use of a firearm, unlawful imprisonment and menacing for allegedly holding adult male and female victims against their will and forcing a woman to withdraw money from her ATM.

Victims in the crime were reluctant to testify. But Cardone said people are now stepping forward, willing to testify.

Rivers appeared in court on Monday and his attorney said the Cardone’s claims “are merely allegations.”

Cardone said Rivers posted a picture of himself with a gun on Facebook last Thursday. An earlier Facebook picture of Rivers with a Remington shotgun with a shortened barrel was used in court on March 1 when Rivers pleaded guilty to the weapons charge.

Rivers’ attorney said the latest photo may have been from months ago, and not be a recent image. The attorney said Rivers has a job and had made all of his court appearances, and doesn’t warrant higher bail.

ALBION – Two people accused of selling crack cocaine in Medina were arraigned in Orleans County Court today.

The two arraigned include a driver for Medina Transport who allegedly used the taxi to sell crack cocaine and transport a drug dealer to customers, and also transport customers to the drug dealer. The owner of Medina Transport didn’t know the taxi driver was using the taxi for the crimes, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported.

Reginald A. Kendrick, 40, of 703 Church St. Apt. 2, in Medina was arraigned on nine counts of both third-degree criminal possession and criminal sale of a controlled substance. He also faces four counts of conspiracy in the fourth-degree.

Kendrick pleaded not guilty today. Due to a previous criminal history from when he lived in Georgia, Judge James Punch set bail at $50,000 for Kendrick, above the $20,000 requested by Kendrick’s attorney.

Roy W. Bishop, 42, of 11345 Main St., in the Town of Shelby was arraigned on three counts of both criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, as well as six counts of conspiracy in the fourth degree.

Bishop worked for Medina Transport as a driver, and he allegedly was using his job to facilitate the drug crimes, said Joseph Sacco, supervising investigator for the Task Force.

Bishop pleaded not guilty in court today. He doesn’t have a prior criminal history. Judge Punch set bail at $5,000.

Danielle E. Conrad

ALBION – An Irondequoit woman who caused serious injuries to a Medina man after hitting him with her car during an argument was sentenced to state prison today.

Danielle E. Conrad, 38, pleaded guilty on Feb. 1 to second-degree vehicular assault for hitting a Medina man with her car on Sept. 7, and causing life-threatening injuries including a leg amputation. Conrad also pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated.

She was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison today.

Conrad did not address the Orleans County Court today during sentencing, but her attorney, Nathan Pace, said her main worry has been the welfare of the victim.

“There is a level of concern and regret I haven’t seen from anyone,” Pace told Judge James Punch. Pace said Conrad offered “the most sincere apology.”

Conrad is not a second felony offender, but does have an extensive criminal history, Punch said. She was on Probation on Sept. 7 when she committed the crimes.

Conrad registered a 0.17 percent Blood Alcohol Content on Sept. 7, more than twice the legal limit. Christopher M. Caldwell, 37, had been a passenger in a sedan operated by Conrad. At some point on Sept. 7 the two got into a dispute and Caldwell was dropped off on Harrison Road. Conrad drove off, but returned to pick up Caldwell a short time later, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department reported.

She drove past him at one point, then drove down the road and turned around. During all this time they were conversing with each other by cell phone, according to the police report.

Conrad drove down Harrison Road a second time and that time she struck Caldwell, the Sheriff’s Department reported. He was flown by Mercy Flight helicopter to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo.

In court on Feb. 1, Conrad said the victim jumped in front of her car. He had been walking by the side of Harrison Road, which she said didn’t have sidewalks.

“It was dark and I didn’t see him,” Conrad told Judge Punch on Feb. 1.

The judge issued an order of protection for Caldwell, and is requiring Conrad use an interlock ignition device, which measures her BAC, when she drives in the future.

ALBION – A Medina man pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court on Monday to attempted assault in the second degree and will be sentenced to prison on June 13.

Michael B. Collier Jr., 23, of East Oak Orchard Street admitted to using a knife to stab a 16-year-old on Oct. 24. The teen has recovered from the attack.

Judge James Punch asked Collier if he used the knife in a way that could injure or cause death to another person. Collier said he did.

Collier is a second felony offender. The charge of attempted assault in the second degree normally carries a maximum sentence of 2 to 4 years in state prison. As part of a plea deal, Collier will face 1 ½ to 3 years in prison. Punch said that is the minimum sentence for the crime.

Collier remains in Orleans County Jail on $100,000 bail.

In another case, Mary Golding, 51, of Harris Road in Waterport pleaded guilty to attempted burglary in the second degree.

The charge normally carries a maximum of 2 to 7 years in state prison. As part of a plea deal, Golding will face a maximum of a year in the county jail.

She admitted in court she went to a neighbor’s house on Harris Road on Nov. 8 and stole a jewelry box so she could feed her heroin addiction. Golding said she has since been in rehab.

She will be sentenced on June 13.

Murray Superette operators to pay $164K-plus in restitution

File photo by Tom Rivers – Members of the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force and outside agencies raided the Murray Superette on Route 104 on Oct. 27, 2015.

MURRAY Three brothers who operate the Murray Superette pleaded guilty in Orleans County to grand larceny in the fourth degree and could face a maximum of six months in Orleans County Jail.

Alexander, Myron and Olec Salamaca also agreed to pay restitution, which includes a $15,000 judgment to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance and $149,102 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for abuses in the food stamp program.

The brothers were arrested on Oct. 27 following a 15-month investigation where the Salamacas and some employees allowed customers to illegally exchange food stamps in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) at 70 percent of their value, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force said then.

The Salamacas would swipe electronic DBT cards and give customers cash back or allow them to buy alcohol, untaxed cigarettes, gas and other items unauthorized by the program, District Attorney Joe Cardone said in court today.

“Did you do it with the intent to steal from the U.S. government?” Judge James Punch asked Olec Salamaca.

“Yes,” Olec Salamaca responded.

Each of the brothers admitted to the grand larceny crimes today in Orleans County Court. None of them have prior criminal records. Cardone agreed to the plea deal after the brothers agreed to restitution. He also considered their community record in running a business on Route 104.

The charge of fourth-degree grand larceny normally carries a maximum of 4 years in state prison. If Judge James Punch sentences the Salamacas to more than 6 months in jail on June 20, the brothers can withdraw their pleas and go to trial.

Punch said the Salamacas may have to surrender licenses for some of their enterprises. The judge kept bail at $20,000, which each Salamaca posted in a lower court.

A fourth Salamaca brother also has been charged in the food stamp trafficking scheme. Taras R. Salamaca worked as an employee at the store. His case is in Murray Town Court.