Rochester man sentenced to 3 to 6 years in state prison for arson in Murray
ALBION – A Rochester man was sentenced to 3 to 6 years in state prison today for arson in the third degree and criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree.
Devon M. Rose, 27, admitted in a previous court appearance that he set a 2009 Acura on fire on May 22, and also stole a 2003 Chevy Silverado from the Town of Murray on May 22. The Silverado is estimated to have been worth about $6,000.
He took the Acura from Monroe County and drove it to the Murray Town Hall and set the car on fire at 5 a.m. on May 22.
District Attorney Joe Cardone said Rose has “horrible” criminal record with a history of committing multiple arsons.
“Much of what Mr. Cardone has said is mostly true, actually it’s all true,” Rose’s attorney David Wade said in acknowledging Rose’s lengthy criminal record.
Wade said Rose has spent most of his adult life incarcerated. He said a history of drug abuse and physical abuse against Rose when he was a child are factors in the arsons.
County Court Judge Sanford Church didn’t give Rose the maximum sentence. He could have faced 4 to 8 years in state prison.
In other cases today in County Court:
• Bryan Bates, 42, of Albion was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years in prison for first-degree criminal contempt. Bates admitted to striking a person in the face on July 6. That person had an order of protection from Bates since July 2018.
• Alonzo Rivera, 23, of Albion was sentenced to weekends in the county jail over four months and five years of probation for attempted making a terrorist threat.
When law enforcement was called due to a domestic situation on Jan. 6, Rivera allegedly called 911 to say he was armed and planned to fire at police officers. Law enforcement went to the scene and saw Rivera walking along Ridge Road without any weapons.
Rivera said he was drunk at the time and doesn’t remember the incident. County Court Judge Sanford Church said Rivera had enough presence of mind to call 911.
Rivera said in court today he made a mistake and is working a full-time job. The judge, instead of giving him a maximum of six months in jail, sentenced Rivera to weekends so he could keep working.
• Adam Locke, 37, of Albion was sentenced to 10 years of probation for attempted sexual abuse in the first degree.
Locke entered an Alford plea, where he didn’t admit a crime. In a court appearance on July 27 he said he was concerned he might be found guilty at a trial and could face state prison.
District Attorney Cardone said Locke was around a girl under age 11 over several days in August 2019. The girl was sitting on Locke’s knee and he allegedly subjected the child to sexual contact while clothed. Locke denied those allegations in court, but still plead guilty to attempted sexual abuse in the first degree.
As part of a plea agreement, he could have faced up to 364 days in the county jail and probation.
The judge decided for “strict probation” that will include searching Locke’s computer and internet use, as well as social media and gaming systems. The judge also issued an order of protection for the alleged victim. He also ordered 250 hours of community service for Locke.
• Jeremiah Thomas, 36, of Albion pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in the third degree and reckless endangerment for a road rage incident where he allegedly rammed a car in the McDonalds in Medina on May 18, causing more than $8,000 in damage and putting the other driver at risk of significant injury, according to the DA’s office.
Thomas could face a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison. He will be sentenced on Jan. 4, 2023.
• Jacoun Harden, 35, of Holley and formerly of Medina, pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree for having a loaded firearm. Harden admitted in court today that when he was charged he had a loaded 9 mm handgun and was intending to use it but didn’t fire it at anyone.
He faces a split sentence of jail and probation when he is sentenced on Nov. 30.
