Man who injured Medina police officer sentenced to 5 years in state prison

ALBION – A Holley man who injured a Medina police officer was sentenced today to 5 years in state prison, plus 5 years of post-release supervision.

William A. Nichols II, 28, was charged after attacking a Medina police officer on March 12. He was charged with second-degree assault, intent to damage property and resisting arrest.

As part of a plea agreement he faced a maximum of 3 to 5 years in prison, plus post-release supervision.

His attorney, Public Defender Joanne Best, asked for 3 years of prison for Nichols, who was sentenced as a second-felony offender. She said he was in a drug treatment program and had reduced his drug use significantly at the time of his arrest.

She said Nichols has been incarcerated several times and has never been on probation or parole, where she said the supervision will help him.

The Medina police officer who was injured by Nichols hasn’t been able to return to work yet.

Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church gave Nichols the maximum sentence. The judge cited Nichols’ previous criminal history and the nature of the latest offense.

In other cases in County Court today:

• A husband and wife from Rochester were both sentenced after they were charged on Aug. 16, 2020 after a traffic stop in Medina and had fentanyl in their vehicle. They were charged with criminal possession of a narcotic drug with intent to sell.

Pedro Gratacos, 46, was sentenced to sixnths in Orleans County Jail plus 5 years of probation. He has a prior criminal record.

His wife, Clementina Gratacos, 40, has no prior record. She was sentenced to a year on probation.

Her attorney cited her community involvement as a business owner who organizes back-to-school events and community Thanksgiving dinners.

“She is not going to be a repeat customer in this court or any other court,” said her attorney, Joseph Damelio.

• Melissa Kuhn, 20, of Holley admitted to violating terms of her probation by not reporting to probation soon after being released from county jail and also by communicating with a co-defendant who she was forbidden to talk with.

Kuhn was on probation after admitting to being the driver for people in a burglary on Fruit Avenue in Ridgeway.

She will be sentenced later this month for third-degree burglary.

• Paul Gulczewski, 28, formerly of Ridgeway but now an Albion resident, was arraigned on criminal possession of weapon in the second degree for a loaded firearm, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree for an illegal ammunition clip, reckless endangering in the first degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree and acting in a manner injurious to a child under 17.

He was charged on Sept. 1 after police were called with reports of gunshots from a Ridgeway residence. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and is free on $5,000 cash bail or bond.

• Jacoun Harden, 35, of Holley and formerly of Medina, was charged with criminal possession of weapon in the second degree for having a loaded firearm. He pleaded not guilty.

Judge Church also issued three orders of protection. Harden remains free after posting $1,000 cash bail.