Medina man could face 5 years in prison for Albion burglary

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – A Medina man admitted to breaking into the home of anelderly Albion couple and stealing some of their possessions, a crime that could result in up to 5 years in state prison.

Joey Johnson, 28, of South Avenue pleaded guilty to attempted burglary in the second degree on Monday during Orleans County Court. The charge, a Class E violent felony, normally carries a maximum sentence of 2 to 7 years in state prison.

As part of a plea deal, Johnson will not be sentenced to more than 5 years in prison. Johnson was charged with burglary, robbery and larceny after he entered the home of an elderly couple on March 21 and allegedly stole a safe with $10,000.

He will be sentenced on Nov. 23.


Several others pleaded guilty on Monday:

William A. Nichols of 46 W. Albion St., Apt. 3., Holley, admitted to hitting another man with a BB Gun during a fight at the Public Square in Holley on May 8.

Nichols pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree assault for a crime that left the other man with a gash to the head and check, and head aches, forcing him to miss work, according to Assistant District Attorney Susan Howard.

Nichols also admitted to punching another man with his fists during a fight on June 13. He pleaded guilty to third-degree assault.

He could face up to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison when he is sentenced on Nov. 30.


A Rochester man admitted to driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, crimes that could result in up to 4 years in state prison.

Jeffrey Houghtaling, 49, was arrested in Murray by Holley police on Oct. 25 when he was driving erratically with another person’s ID. He had a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.16 percent, twice the legal limit.

Houghtaling was in a homeless shelter in Monroe County when he allegedly stole the identification from a person there. Houghtaling then allegedly drove to North Carolina with the other person’s documents.

Houghtaling has at least four prior felony DWIs, and two prior misdemeanor DWIs, District Attorney Joe Cardone said when Houghtaling was arraigned in county court on May 18.

He will be sentenced on Dec. 21.


A Kent resident admitted to violating his probation and faces a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison when he is sentenced on Nov. 16.

Luke G. Sorta, 23, was on probation but he didn’t meet terms for his probation when he abandoned his job at Brunner, failed to get his General Equivalency Diploma, admitted to smoking marijuana several times, as well as consuming alcohol and circumventing the drug testing policy. He also left the area without telling probation.

Sorta was recently arrested in Idaho on a warrant for violating probation. He was returned to Orleans County and has been in the county jail.