Ridgeway man arraigned in County Court for assault on girlfriend, escape at jail

ALBION – A Ridgeway man who was being transferred to the Orleans County Jail on Sept. 5 and bolted from Sheriff’s deputies and corrections officers was arraigned in County Court for escape.

Joseph J. Motzer, 27, of Ridgeway also was arraigned last Wednesday for second-degree assault and aggravated criminal contempt. He was charged on the morning of Sept. 5 after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, who was 8 months pregnant. He allegedly choked her using an electric cord.

He was taken by a Sheriff’s deputy to the Orleans County jail that morning. When he was in the process of being turned over to the jail staff, Motzer allegedly took off running with his hands cuffed behind his back.

He was taken into custody at about 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 5 after he was found hiding under a picnic table in the backyard of a residence on South Main Street near the Main Street Thrift Store.

Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church set bail at $10,000 cash and $20,00 bond for Motzer during the arraignment last week.

In other cases:

• A Kendall man pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and criminal mischief in the fourth degree.

Lazaro Botello, 29, was charged on May 12 for DWI on West Park Street in Albion. He admitted in court to drinking a six-pack of beer before driving. He also admitted to trying to force himself into a house and damaging the door.

He was driving without a license on may 12 after his license had been revoked due to a prior DWI.

As part of a plea agreement, Botello could face a maximum of 4 years in state prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 6.

• Allan Gray, 47, of Albion was arraigned for driving while intoxicated and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree.

He was charged on Aug. 16 in the Town of Kendall.