county court

Carlton man pleads guilty to sex crimes

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 October 2013 at 12:00 am

ALBION – A Carlton man pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court today to sexual contact with two under-age children and also possession of child pornography.

Timothy Shay, 49, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse in the second-degree. Each charge carries up to a year in jail, plus 10 years of Probation. The charge of possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child carries a sentence of 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison.

Shay could receive consecutive sentences, which would increase his time behind bars, because he is being sentenced for three different crimes. He will be sentenced on Sept. 29.

In court today, he said had sexual contact with two different under-age girls in 2012. Shay first told Judge James Punch the contact was “accidental,” but then said he did it on purpose for his own gratification.

In other cases today, a Medina man pleaded guilty to attempted robbery in the third degree for an incident on March 15.

In court William Cruz, 41, said he punched a customer outside the VFW in Medina and then took $200 from the victim. He will be sentenced on Dec. 16 and could face up to a year in jail and five years on probation.

Cruz has been in jail on $100,000 bail. He has two prior felonies and nine misdemeanors.

An Albion man was arraigned on robbery. Morris M. Taylor, 23, of 239 East State St. allegedly was armed with a knife and robbed a pizza delivery person outside Mark’s Pizzeria in Albion on Feb. 28.

After the robbery, Taylor allegedly left the area with $300. Surveillance was used by law enforcement to locate Taylor in the town of Batavia, where he was taken into custody on May 28. He is out of jail on $2,000 cash bail.

Botello pleads not guilty to attempted murder of trooper

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 October 2013 at 12:00 am

Botello

ALBION – A Kendall resident accused of attempted murder of a state trooper pleaded not guilty to the crime when he was arraigned in Orleans County Court today by Judge James Punch.

Carlos J. Botello, 42, was charged with second-degree attempted murder of a state trooper following a traffic stop on Sept. 3. Botello was stopped by Trooper Dan Metz. Botello allegedly attempted to back over the trooper. Metz avoided being struck, but Borello smashed into a state police vehicle.

Botello then fled the scene by vehicle. Metz pursued the suspect until Botello entered into a farmer’s field and became disabled, police reported.

Punch said Botello’s bail would continue to be set at $2.5 million. Punch raised the bail from $250,000 to $2.5 million last month.

Punch today assigned Nathan Pace from the Public Defender’s Office to represent Botello, whose next scheduled court date will be 3 p.m. on Oct. 21.

Botello has allegedly twice attempted to harm law enforcement officers. The previous incident occurred in 1994 when Botello fired six rounds into the home of a deputy who lived in Kendall.

DA presents 20-year offer in prison for man who shot wife, burned house

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 September 2013 at 12:00 am

ALBION – A Kendall man who allegedly shot his wife following an argument and then burned down their home would face a maximum of 20 years in state prison, according to a plea offer presented in Orleans County Court today by District Attorney Joseph Cardone.

Dennis Buehler, 64, could face 25 years in state prison for second-degree attempted murder, plus additional time for third-degree arson. As part of the plea, he would face up to 20 years in prison.

Buehler and his attorney, Public Defender Sanford Church, will consider the plea offer. If Buehler accepts it, the offer would still need to be approved by County Court Judge James Punch.

Buehler allegedly shot his wife Linda with a shotgun on March 4. Mrs. Buehler then fled the house, which Buehler then allegedly set on fire. The Buehlers’ house at 923 Peter Smith Rd. was destroyed by the fire. In court today, Cardone said the insurance company is contesting paying the claim for the damages.

Punch said a separate hearing will likely be needed to determine restitution for Mrs. Buehler, who has filed for divorce.

She survived the gunshot wound to her shoulder. Cardone said she and other witnesses are prepared to testify should the case go to trial.

Buehler has been charged of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree arson.

2 sentenced to weekends in jail, 5 years Probation

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 September 2013 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Two Holley area residents were sentenced today to four months of weekends in jail, five years Probation and $2,000 fines.

Daniel Weatherbee, 32, of 16562 Route 31, Holley, was sentenced for his second charge of driving while intoxicated. He was arrested for DWI on May 11 after he was stopped on North Main Street in Holley. He was also charged with DWI on Jan. 25, 2011 in Hamlin.

Weatherbee’s Blood Alcohol Content was 0.18 when he was charged by Holley police on May 11. Weatherbee’s attorney Michael Ranzenhofer told the court that Weatherbee has a full-time job and a daughter.

“He is a young man who has made mistakes, but he has a future,” Ranzenhofer told County Court Judge James Punch during sentencing.

Punch also revoked Weatherbee’s license for a year and imposed a $325 court surcharge.

“You’re a mess,” Punch told the Holley resident. “You’ve allowed alcohol to steer you in the wrong direction for a lot of years.”


A Clarendon resident also was sentenced to weekends in jail and Probation. David T. Costrino, 51, was charged in February with one count of second-degree criminal possession of marijuana. State police led a raid at Costrino’s house at 15557 Brown School House Rd., and discovered he was growing marijuana.

Costrino in court apologized for the crime. He said the weekend sentence will allow him to continue working full-time so he can support his family.

“I’m very sorry your honor for what I’ve done,” Costrino said.

Capstick rejects plea, sending case to trial

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 September 2013 at 12:00 am

ALBION – A Medina resident who allegedly stole $20,000 in lottery tickets has rejected a plea deal that would have spared her from state prison. The case against Kim Capstick will now go to trial beginning Nov. 6 and Capstick could face 1 1/3 to 4 years if convicted.

Orleans County Court Judge James Punch asked Capstick several times in court today if she wanted to go to trial and face the possibility of time in state prison. She was offered a plea deal that would have resulted in no more than six months in county jail plus five years of probation.

Capstick and her attorney Thomas Burns declined the plea offer.

Capstick worked at Curvin’s News and Smoke Shop in Medina from February 2011 to June 2012 when the alleged thefts occurred. She has been charged with one count of third-degree grand larceny.

Merchant fined $500 for stealing from Fischer’s Newsroom

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2013 at 12:00 am

ALBION A downtown Albion merchant has avoided jail and Probation for stealing from a fellow business owner.

Denise VanWagner, 60, of Medina has paid $7,000 in restitution. She doesn’t have a prior criminal record. Today she was fined $500 by Judge Richard Koch and ordered to perform 40 hours of community service.

Koch handled the case for Judge James Punch. VanWagner pleaded guilty in May to attempted petty larceny. She has told law enforcement officials she doesn’t remember taking money from Fischer’s Newsroom, where police say she stole $28,303.

VanWagner, owner of the Place To Go consignment shop, would go to Fischer’s and watch the store while owner Gary Withey took a bathroom break. Withey became suspicious about the theft and marked $20 bills that VanWagner then allegedly stole. One time he hid behind a door and witnessed her taking the money. He then called the Albion police.

In March, VanWagner was arraigned on charges of third-degree grand larceny and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

VanWagner declined to speak to the court during her sentencing this morning.

“You were caught with your proverbial hand in the cookie jar,” Koch told her. “You took advantage of a friendship with the Witheys.”

Gary and Denise Withey accepted the $7,000 restitution. They wanted to avoid a trial. They may pursue civil litigation to recover more money.

Koch told VanWagner she should admit her crime and apologize to the Witheys.

“The monster you have to confront is yourself,” the judge told her. “Your inability to say I made a mistake is the most troubling part about you.”

Judge sets $2.5 million bail for man charged with attempted murder

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Botello

ALBION – A judge raised the bail from $250,000 to $2.5 million for a Kendall man charged last week with attempted murder of a state trooper.

Carlos J. Botello, 42, of Kendall was charged with second-degree attempted murder of a state trooper following a traffic stop on Sept. 3. Botello was stopped by Trooper Dan Metz. Botello allegedly attempted to back over the trooper. Metz avoided being struck, but Borello smashed into a state police vehicle.

Botello then fled the scene by vehicle. Metz pursued the suspect until Botello entered into a farmer’s field and became disabled, police reported.

A Yates town justice set Botello’s bail at $250,000. In Orleans County Court on Monday, Judge James Punch increased the bail to $2.5 million.

District Attorney Joseph Cardone noted in court that Botello has twice attempted to harm law enforcement officers. The previous incident occurred in 1994 when Botello fired six rounds into the home of a deputy who lived in Kendall.

Woman sentenced to state prison for DWI with kids in car

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 September 2013 at 12:00 am

ALBION A Rochester woman was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison today for driving while intoxicated with two children, both age 4, in the back seat.

Kizzie E. Ford, 29, was charged with DWI on Sept. 13 in the village of Albion. She was stopped by police after she nearly struck an unmarked Albion police patrol car. She faced charges of felony DWI, first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, two counts of aggravated DWI (Leandra’s Law), two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of improper child restraint devices and improper right turn.

Ford was operating the vehicle with her two 4-year-old children in the rear seat without child restraint seats. Orleans County Court Judge James Punch sentenced Ford today, calling her actions “an appalling crime.”


In another DWI case, Julie M. Makowski, 50, of Rochester pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated in Albion on March 31. She will be sentenced Dec. 9 and faces 1 to 3 years in state prison.

Makowski was charged with felony DWI, criminal possession of a controlled substance, speeding and inadequate headlights. She has a prior DWI and prior charge of driving while ability impaired.

Makowski admitted in court today she had been drinking prior to driving. She took a breath test two hours after being arrested on March 31 and registered a 0.15 blood alcohol content, nearly double the legal limit for driving drunk.

Judge schedules Jan. 13 for start of murder trial

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Frederick Miller is accused of killing girlfriend

Frederick Miller

ALBION Orleans County Court Judge James Punch today set Jan. 13 as the tentative starting date for a murder trial.

Frederick Miller, 61, of Carlton is accused of killing his live-in girlfriend on March 4. Miller allegedly bludgeoned and stabbed Rachel Miller several times. He has been charged with second-degree murder.

The couple allegedly had a fight on March 4 at a home they shared on Oak Orchard River Road. Rachel Miller, who was formerly married to Miller’s cousin, was 53 when she died as a result of blunt force trauma combined with multiple stab wounds, according to an autopsy.

Miller’s body was discovered early in the morning on March 4 by an Albion school bus driver.

Punch also set Oct. 23 for a Huntley hearing to determine which of Frederick Miller’s statements made to police will be admissible at trial.

Kendall man charged with attempted murder of state trooper

Staff Reports Posted 4 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Botello

YATES – A Kendall resident has been charged with second-degree attempted murder of a state trooper following a traffic stop on Tuesday night, state police reported.

Carlos J. Botello, 42, of Kendall, was stopped by Trooper Dan Metz. Botello allegedly attempted to back over the trooper. Metz avoided being struck, but Borello smashed into a state police vehicle.

Botello then fled the scene by vehicle. Metz pursued the suspect until Botello entered into a farmer’s field and became disabled, police reported.

Metz took Botello into custody without further incident and transported him to the State Police barracks in Albion. Orleans County District Attorney Joseph Cardone was consulted and recommended charging Botello with attempted murder 2nd.

Botello was arraigned in the Town of Yates Court and remanded to the Orleans County Jail on $250,000 bail.

The incident began at approximately 8:20 p.m., when Metz was dispatched to a suspicious vehicle/erratic operator on Route 18 in the town of Yates. Metz located the vehicle and attempted to effect a traffic stop.

Botello did not stop immediately and a brief pursuit ensued. The vehicle eventually pulled over and Metz cautiously approached the vehicle. The operator looked back at Metz, put the vehicle in reverse and accelerated directly at him, state police reported.

The Daily News of Batavia is reporting that Botello 19 years ago fired six shots into the home of a sheriff’s deputy. Botello has spent three terms in state prison, and is currently on post-release supervision.

Botello faces several charges in addition to attempted murder. Police charged him with two counts of driving while intoxicated, aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to keep right and unlawful fleeing from a police officer.

Rochester woman pleads guilty to cocaine sale

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 August 2013 at 12:00 am

ALBION – A Rochester woman pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court today to selling cocaine.

Raquel T. Torrez, 34, of 256 Ave. D, Rochester on June 19 was charged with four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree. She pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. As part of her plea, she will be sentenced to no more than six months in jail on Nov. 18.

Torrez was among eight people arrested in June by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, following an eight-month investigation into the sale and distribution of cocaine in the Albion area.

Torrez apologized to County Court Judge James Punch in court today, saying her use of cocaine led her to make bad decisions.

District Attorney Joseph Cardone said Torrez was involved in at least four drug sales.

Torrez said she sold cocaine for money so she could support her own drug habit.

Lyndonville man sentenced to 1 to 3 years in prison for DWI

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 August 2013 at 12:00 am

ALBION – A Lyndonville resident was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison today for driving while intoxicated, his second DWI.

Jeremy H. Boyce, 30, of 32 Maple Ave. was charged on March 31 with DWI. He also faced charges of failure to keep right, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, failure to use an interlock device, aggravated unlicensed operator, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration.

In addition to his prison sentence, Boyce was fined $2,500 by County Court Judge James Punch. Boyce has a year to pay the fine. He also lost his driver’s license for a year and must use interlock ignition device for three years once he’s released from prison.

Boyce told the court he will work hard to change his life and make better decisions in the future.


In other cases in county court today:

Robert W. Tetrault, 32, of Albion pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree assault and third-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon. He could be sentenced to a maximum of 2 to 4 years in state prison or a minimum of 1 ½ to 3 years.

Tetrault had a knife when he was fighting with his brother Chris Tetrault on May 23. Chris’s wife Wendy attempted to intervene in the fight and suffered “a severe laceration across her hand” from the knife, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.

Tetrault said he didn’t intend to hurt the victim. He said he was trying to injure his brother. Tetrault has a prior conviction of criminal mischief from November 2005 in Orleans County.

He will be sentenced at 2 p.m. on Oct. 21.

An Albion woman told Judge Punch she violated her Probation in June by using cocaine and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Dawn M. Stachewicz, 41, of Albion pleaded guilty to a Probation violation today and could be sentenced to up to a year in jail at 2 p.m. on Oct. 21.

Guilty plea from Albion man who sold prescription narcotics

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 August 2013 at 12:00 am

DeRoller

ALBION – A village resident pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court today to selling prescription drug narcotics from his residence at 130 West Academy St.

Vance R. DeRoller, 45, could be sentenced to a maximum of 5 ½ years in state prison when he is sentenced Nov. 18 by Judge James Punch. DeRoller pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a C felony. He remains free on $25,000 bail.

He faced 21 counts of either criminal sale or criminal possession of a controlled substance after being arrested in June. DeRoller sold hydrocodone pills that were mixed with acetaminophen, a pain reliever. Hydrocodone and acetaminophen combined are considered a narcotic, said District Attorney Joseph Cardone.

DeRoller said he sold of the prescription drugs that were prescribed to him to an undercover police officer. DeRoller was selling the drugs for profit, he told Judge Punch. As part of his plea deal, DeRoller won’t be sentenced to more than 5 ½ years.

Medina resident pleads guilty to car dealership break-in

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 August 2013 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – A Medina resident admitted in court he broke into the Orleans Ford dealership in December, stole a truck and threatened a clerk at a gas station.

George Brown, 36, of Bernzomatic Drive could be sentenced to a maximum 2 1/3 to 7 years in state prison on Oct. 21. He pleaded guilty on County Court on Monday to third-degree burglary and third-degree attempted robbery.

Brown on Dec. 15 stole a truck from Orleans Ford. He then attempted to take gas from a gas station by threatening a clerk, the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office said.

After stealing the truck, Brown led Medina Police and state troopers on a multi-county pursuit. He had two children with him. He was stopped after driving over spikes deployed by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.

5th DWI results in prison for Medina man

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 August 2013 at 12:00 am

ALBION A 58-year-old Medina man was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison for driving while intoxicated.

Earl Anderson of 11089 Maple Ridge Rd. has been charged with DWI five times since 1978, with 2005 the most recent case until he was charged Dec. 9 on Dunlap Road in Shelby.

“You’ve had an incredible amount of DWIs in your life,” County Court Judge James Punch told Anderson during his sentencing on Monday. “I have to protect the people of the county from you.”

Anderson also was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.


In another DWI case, Felix Onofre-Rojas, 61, of 14691 Zig-Zag Rd., Albion, pleaded guilty to DWI on May 4, when he was stopped with a BAC of 0.21 percent. Onofre-Rojas has a prior DWI on June 24, 2008 in Hamlin.

He could be sentenced to up to four years in state prison on Oct. 28.

Onofre-Rojas also faces several drug charges for the sale and distribution of cocaine in the Albion area. He could be sentenced to up to 5.5 years in state prison, time that would run concurrent with the DWI offense.

Onofre-Rojas was prepared to plead guilty to the drug charges on Monday, but he disagreed with District Attorney Joe Cardone’s time frame of when the crimes occurred. Cardone said the crimes occurred February 2013, but Onofre-Rojas refuted that in court. Onofre-Rojas acknowledged he sold the drugs, but he told Judge Punch it wasn’t in February.

Cardone said Onofre-Rojas sold cocaine “repeatedly.” Cardone and Onofre-Rojas will discuss the plea in an upcoming court date, when Cardone checks with staff and law enforcement about the time frame of the crimes.

Onofre-Rojas was arrested on June 20 and charged with two counts of a criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree.


In another case in county court on Monday, two Jamaican nationals were arraigned on charges of first-degree criminal possession of marijuana. Calvin Bennett, 37, of the Bronx and Roderick Johnson, 29, of Rochester were stopped by law enforcement in February in Clarendon. They allegedly possessed 450 pounds of marijuana.