ALBION – Three people were sentenced to time in the Orleans County today by County Court Judge Sanford Church.

• Richard Kress, 38, of Albion was sentenced to 364 days in jail. He could have been sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison after pleading guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree.

Kress and a co-defendant, Daniel Fritz III of Clarendon, are accused of taking a safe from a  Clarendon home that had cash and jewelry inside. They will pay $5,000 in restitution to the victim.

Fritz pleaded guilty to attempted burglary in the third degree and faces up to 2 to 4 years in state prison.

Kress said he made some bad choices and was abusing drugs and alcohol. He said he has turned his life around. He apologized to the victim of the crime. He has already been in jail for 115 days.

• Christopher Doxley, 41, of Medina was sentenced to 364 days in the county jail for criminal mischief. He allegedly was in an argument at someone’s house and hit a car with a baseball bat.

He apologized to the court and his family. He also was fined $500 and needs to pay $250 in court fees.

• Charles Santiago, 37, of Albion was sentenced to weekends in jail over four months and five years of probation for criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. Santiago had a loaded Taurus handgun on April 13 without a permit.

He could have faced six months in the county jail. Judge Sanford Church said the weekends in jail will allow Santiago to keep working full-time so he can support his family.

• A Medina woman is being held in the county jail while awaiting sentencing for violating her probation.

Erica Davis, 37, also faces new charges of promoting prison contraband in the first degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance for bringing cocaine into the county jail. She snuck the cocaine into the jail through her boot, District Attorney Susan Howard said

• Devon A. Robinson, 32, of Rochester pleaded guilty in court today to criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree. He admitted to having an ATV valued at more than $3,000 that he knew was stolen. The Arctic Cat ATV was taken from Hulberton Road in Holley on July 26, 2024.

Robinson, as a second-felony offender, could have faced up to seven years in prison. As part of a plea deal today he will face up to five years in prison when he is sentenced on Feb. 18.

Anthony Bruce, former federal prosecutor, didn’t reside in Orleans or adjoining county

The case against a Medina man who served two years of incarceration has been dismissed after the state’s highest court ruled the special prosecutor in the case was wrongly appointed.

Anthony Bruce, a former federal prosecutor for 38 years, was named a special prosecutor in a case against Dina Callara of Medina, who was charged with grand larceny for allegedly improperly selling a vehicle that was given to him for repairs and then keeping the proceeds. He was ordered to pay $3,800 in restitution to the owner of the vehicle.

Joe Cardone, the district attorney at the time, recused himself from the case due to a relationship with the alleged victim.

Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church appointed Bruce of Orchard Park as the special prosecutor.

The State of New York Court of Appeals stated in a decision on October 16 that it is undisputed that Bruce did not have an office or reside in Orleans County or any adjoining county, therefore not meeting the residency requirement.

Callara was convicted of a jury of grand larceny in the fourth degree and two counts of petit larceny on Feb. 22, 2022. He served 24 months of incarceration in the county jail and state prison. Callara didn’t raise the issue of an improperly appointed prosecutor until after the conviction and Callara’s attorney filed an appeal.

The Supreme Court of the State of New York Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department issued a decision on July 26, 2024, agreeing with Callara and his attorney, Kerry A. Conner, that the case should be dismissed.

While Bruce lives in Erie County, he has listed 39 Ellicott St. in Batavia, Genesee County, as an office. Genesee is contiguous to Orleans. But Callara’s lawyers argued Bruce wasn’t using that site as an office and sent correspondence to Callara from Erie County.

The District Attorneys Association of the State of New York, as amicus curiae or “friend of the court,” argued that it can be difficult to find qualified attorneys who are willing and able to serve as special district attorney, particularly in rural counties. And many rural counties border other rural counties, the DAs association said.

The Appellate Court – in a decision written by Shirley Troutman, Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals – said it’s up to the State Legislature to determine if the statute should be amended to accommodate the challenges faced by rural counties in appointing special prosecutors.

Ryan Armstrong

ALBION – The man driving a U-Haul that plunged into the Erie Canal on Sept. 2, following a high-speed chase with law enforcement, was arraigned in Orleans County Court this morning on manslaughter and numerous other felonies.

Ryan Armstrong, 43, was driving a stolen U-Haul with Reginald Russell, 56, of Rochester as the passenger.

The two had been spotted allegedly stealing items from the Walgreens in Brockport and loading them into the U-Haul. They attempted to flee law enforcement in a chase where speeds reached speeds up to 85 miles per hour. The chase went from Clarkson into Ogden, back through Brockport and eventually onto a canal service road in Orleans County.

Police used spike strips in the area of Bennetts Corners Road, where one of the vehicle’s tires became deflated. Armstrong then drove onto the southside of canal pathway before driving the U-Haul into the water, just east of Bennetts Corners Road.

Russell escaped the vehicle and was spotted struggling in the water before he went under, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies jumped in to try and save him, but could not find him due to murky water conditions. Russell’s body was later recovered by a scuba team from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Armstrong escaped the vehicle, swam to the north side of the canal and ran away, but was eventually caught and taken into custody with the use of drone technology, said Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke.

Armstrong today was arraigned in Orleans County Court by Judge Sanford Church. Armstrong has been charged with manslaughter for recklessly causing a death, as well as these felonies: fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle in the first degree, criminal possession of stolen property valued at more than $50,000 in the second degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in a death.

Armstrong also faces misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment in the second degree, unauthorized use of a vehicle, criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, and criminal mischief for property damage.

Judge Church set bail at $100,000 cash, $200,000 insurance bond or $500,000 partially secured bond at 10 percent.

Armstrong is next to appear in court on Nov. 24 for a conference.

In other cases in County Court:

• Jason Dusett, 50, of Lyndonville was sentenced to six months in the county jail for aggravated driving while intoxicated, a felony. He also has to pay $490 in court surcharges, a $50 DNA database fee, $25 DWI fee and $25 crime victims fee.

Dusett was stopped on June 12 and a state trooper recorded Dusett’s Blood Alcohol Content at 0.19 percent, more than double the legal limit. Dusett has a previous DWI in Victor in 2018.

• In cases from last week, Joseph Reamer, 53, of Albion pleaded guilty to third-degree rape for sexual contact without the other person’s consent in April 2025. He faces up to two years in state prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 7.

• Marcus Donley, 22, of Medina was sentenced to 364 in the county jail for violating his probation by not getting treatment or housing. Donley is on probation for third-degree burglary and criminal mischief.

Deon Jackson

ALBION – A Medina man who threw feces at four corrections officers in the Orleans County Jail, causing three to miss extended time at work, was sentenced this morning to 2 ½ to 5 years in state prison.

Deon Jackson, 25, in September was sentenced to 7 years in state prison for first-degree assault as an accomplice in two stabbings at the Canal Basin in Medina on Nov. 1, 2024.

Jackson will have the new sentence of 2 ½ to 5 years added to the 7-year prison sentence. He was sentenced for aggravated harassment of employees by an inmate Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Jackson threw the feces at the corrections officers on May 26. Three of the staff had it land in their eyes and mouth, while it got on the clothes of another corrections officer. Three of them had to take strong anti-viral medicine that flushes the immune system. It left them feeling sick and out of work for two to three weeks.

“There is no denying the crime and the impact it had on the officers,” Jackson’s attorney Claudette Caldwell said at sentencing.

Jackson was off a mood disorder medicine that may have contributed to his actions, she said. The jail tried one medicine and it didn’t work, and the staff was looking for another option to help Jackson, Caldwell said.

Jackson, in court today, apologized for the incident.

“These weren’t the right actions,” he said. “I feel bad for doing it. I’m sorry to the victims for doing that.”

Assistant district attorney Dan Punch called it “a disgusting crime” that Jackson then allegedly bragged about in the jail. Punch sought the maximum sentence and for it to run consecutively, not concurrently.

Judge Church sentenced Jackson to the maximum, and to have it added to the current sentence for assault.

“Obviously, he can’t control himself,” Church said.

Curtis Schroth

ALBION – A Ridgeway man pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in Orleans County Court this morning and could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

Curtis Schroth, 52, admitted to hitting his mother in the back of the head with a hammer on Oct. 15, causing injuries that led to her death on Oct. 27.

Schroth was living with his mother, Dolores Schroth, at the time. She was 78.

After seriously injuring his mother, Schroth went to the Albion Police Department on Oct. 15, and confessed to the crime, District Attorney Susan Howard said.

The case was at a standstill because Schroth was deemed to be mentally incompetent. He has been in a psychiatric facility for several months but was brought to Orleans County on Sept. 24 to appear in court after being found competent.

Schroth in court today said his mother frequently put him down. He cited “mental health abuse” when Judge Sanford Church asked Schroth why he hit his mother with the hammer.

Schroth said the hammer was on a counter inside the house. He acknowledged he hit her with the intention of causing physical injury.

Howard said the Monroe Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Dolores Schroth died from the injuries sustained after being hit with the hammer.

“Do you understand tat hitting your mother in the back of the head with a hammer caused significant risk of death?” Judge Church asked Schroth.

“Yes,” he replied.

He will be sentenced on Jan. 7 and also could face a $5,000 fine, other court surcharges and fees, and post-release supervision.

ALBION – The case in Orleans County Court against a Medina man accused of arson is currently on hold.

Zachary Natale, 32, allegedly set an apartment on fire on Dec. 17, 2024 at 207 Bates Rd. The fire forced the evacuation of two other residents in a duplex.

Natale has been charged with second-degree arson, second-degree burglary and two counts of reckless endangerment in the first degree.

Natale was deemed incompetent to trial through one examination, and then was deemed fit in another exam.

But Natale’s attorney, assistant public defender Courtney Spiotta, at court this morning convinced Judge Sanford Church to seek a third competency evaluation.

Natale currently is being held in the Orleans County Jail.

In another case, a North Carolina man who was involved in a high-speed chase in Albion pleaded guilty criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree and reckless endangerment in the second degree, both Class A misdemeanors.

Ceu Uk, 22, needed to be extradited from his Charlotte North Carolina. He admitted in court today to driving a vehicle that wasn’t his and doing it without the owner’s consent on May 29, 2023. Uk also admitted to driving in excess of 100 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone, and passing other cars, creating a substantial risk for other people. The car was a 2021 Chrysler 300.

Uk and two of the occupants also fled the vehicle just south of Route 104 on Crandall Road. It then took several hours for police to locate and detain them.

Uk was a given a conditional discharge to obey all laws and seek lawful employment for the next year. If he has any violations, he could spend up to 364 days in the county jail for each charge and also be on probation for up to three years.

Uk is currently working as a Door Dash driver. He has to pay a $175 court surcharge, $50 DNA database fee, and $25 crime victims’ fee.

John D. “JD” Smith Jr.

ALBION – An Albion man was sentenced to 10 years in state prison plus 15 years of post-release supervision for attempted rape in the first degree.

John D. “JD” Smith Jr., 31, was arrested on Dec. 12, 2024  for first-degree rape after allegedly having anal sexual contact with a person under 11 years old. The crime occurred in November 2024.

He pleaded guilty to attempted rape in the first degree and was sentenced on Wednesday in Orleans County Court by Judge Sanford Church.

ALBION – A former Albion man pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court to attempted course of sexual conduct in third degree and could get up to five years in state prison when he is sentenced on Dec. 3.

Joel Prouty, 39, now lives in Bethany. He admitted in County Court on Wednesday to having anal sexual contact at least twice with a victim between June 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. The victim was the ages of 9 and 10 when this happened, the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office said.

Prouty was charged on May 21 by the Albion Police Department with course of sex conduct against a child in the 1st degree and endangering the welfare of a child.

In other cases in County Court:

Allan Bieber, 22, pleaded guilty to third-degree rape for having sex with a 15-year-old girl at St. Joseph’s Park on South Clinton Street on April 25. It was dark at the park at about 9 p.m. when the alleged rape occurred.

Bieber will face probation and no incarceration as part of a plea agreement. He could be a registered sex offender for 10 years. That will be determined at a hearing before Judge Sanford Church.

Jamar Daniel, 41, of the Bronx pleaded guilty last week to attempted promoting prison contraband in the first degree.

Daniel admitted to bringing a folding ceramic blade into the Orleans Correctional Facility on Nov. 17, 2024.

He faces up to 364 days in the county jail when he is sentenced.

ALBION – A Ridgeway man appeared in Orleans County Court this morning facing first-degree manslaughter charges for allegedly killing his mother after hitting her in the head with a hammer.

Curtis Schroth, 51, allegedly hit his mother with a hammer on Oct. 15, 2024 at her home on Rutherford Road in Ridgeway. Dolores Schroth died from those injuries at age 78 on Oct. 27, 2024.

Her son was living with her at the time of the crime, District Attorney Susan Howard said.

After seriously injuring his mother, Schroth went to the Albion Police Department on Oct. 15, and confessed to the crime, Howard said.

The case has been at a standstill because Schroth was deemed to be mentally incompetent. He has been in a psychiatric facility for several months but was brought to Orleans County this morning to appear in court after being found competent.

He was arraigned on first-degree manslaughter in County Court on Jan. 8, 2025. Public defender Joanne Best requested a mental competency exam on March 12.

Schroth was held in the county jail for several months before being transferred to a psychiatric facility. He is now back in the county jail. County Court Judge Sanford Church is continuing bail at $100,000 cash, $500,000 bond and $750,000 partially secured bond.

The charge of first-degree manslaughter carries a maximum of 25 years in prison. Howard presented an offer to Schroth today to plead guilty to first-degree manslaughter and face no more than 20 years in prison. Howard said she made the offer after consulting with Dolores Schroth’s other children.

Best, who is representing Curtis Schroth, has until Oct. 22 to file motions in the case with the motions to be argued in court on Nov. 5.

Best in court today said Schroth has an option of a plea of not criminally responsible, where a mental disorder or defect at the time of the crime makes defendants unable to understand the wrongfulness of their actions.

ALBION – A Lyndonville man pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court on Wednesday to felony aggravated driving while intoxicated.

Jason Dusett, 50, is being held in the county jail for a parole violation. In January 2019 he was sentenced to four years in state prison for first- and second-degree sexual abuse.

In the DWI charge, he was stopped on June 12 and a state trooper recorded Dusett’s Blood Alcohol Content at 0.19 percent, more than double the legal limit. Dusett has a previous DWI in Victor in 2018.

He pleaded guilty in County Court on Wednesday and faces up to 6 months in the county jail when he is sentenced on Nov. 12.

In another case in county court on Wednesday:

Richard Kress, 37, of Albion pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree and faces a maximum 1 to 3 years in state prison when he is sentenced on Nov. 19.

Kress and a co-defendant, Daniel Fritz III of Clarendon, are accused of taking a safe from a  Clarendon home that had cash and jewelry inside. There will be a restitution hearing. District Attorney Susan Howard is seeking $5,000 in restitution for the victim of the crime.

Fritz has pleaded guilty to attempted burglary in the third degree and could be sentenced to up to 2 to 4 years in state prison.

In cases in court last week, Joseph Reamer, 53, of Medina was arraigned on first-degree rape, forcible touching and unlawful imprisonment in the second degree. He posted a bail bond for $20,000.

Charles Santiago, 37, of Albion also pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree for having a loaded Taurus handgun on April 13 without a permit.

Santiago faces a split sentence of up to 6 months in the county jail and five years of probation when he is sentenced on Nov. 19.