Medina man admits to cocaine possession, could face 2 years in state prison
ALBION – A Medina man pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court this morning to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
Milton Hinckley IV, 32, admitted to having cocaine on Jan. 23 when he was stopped in a vehicle in Medina by the Medina Police Department. The cocaine weighed 1.07 ounces.
Hinckley faced other drug and traffic charges, including aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. His plea in County Court today satisfies all charges against him.
He could face up to 2 years in state prison when he is sentenced on Sept. 30.
In another case today in County Court, a Newfane man facing several charges, including first-degree arson, appeared on a bail hearing.
Marquis Harrell, 22, allegedly went to the mother of his children’s residence in Albion early Saturday and threw a Molotov cocktail at the home, causing charring and siding damage, said Daniel Punch, assistant district attorney.
Harrell also faces charges of criminal mischief in the first degree, four counts of reckless endangerment in the first degree, two counts of endangering the welfare, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, and two counts of criminal contempt.
Harrell is represented by public defender Joanne Best. She said Harrell may likely have been “overcharged” in the case with first-degree arson.
“Is there sufficient evidence to charge him with what is alleged?” Best said in court today.
Punch said there are threatening text messages from Harrell to the victim and photos showing the damage to the residence.
Even if the charge was attempted arson, Punch said that is a serious enough charge to hold Harrell on bail.
Best asked that Harrell be released on his own recognizance without being held on bail.
Punch acknowledged Harrell has a limited criminal history but also faces a pending criminal mischief charge in Royalton. Punch asked the judge to set bail at $10,000 cash. Judge Sanford Church agreed to that amount of cash bail, or $20,000 bond or $50,000 partially secured bond.
The judge also is continuing orders of protection for the victims of the alleged crime.
