Yates man arraigned for criminal possession of stolen property

ALBION – A Yates man pleaded not guilty today when he was arraigned in Orleans County Court on fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Michael P. Silversmith, 57, of Marshall Road was arrested in August after a search of his home by law enforcement agencies. The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force said that some of the property, including a Cub Cadet LTX-1042 KW riding lawn mower and Mercury 9.9 HP outboard boat motor, were stolen from Niagara County.

Silversmith remains free on $25,000 bail.

In another case, Judge James Punch determined a Brockport man is a level 1 sex offender, the least likely to reoffend.

Mitchell Mensing, 30, of Brockport served time in prison after pleading guilty in June 2011 to knowingly possessing child pornography.

He allegedly possessed in excess of 600 images of child pornography which were found on two computers he owned.

During a risk assessment hearing this afternoon, Mensing said he is undergoing counseling. He also has a full-time job and is married.

Judge Punch said he couldn’t give Mensing a higher rating based on the scoring system set by the state.

“You have a very serious problem and the most important thing is that you deal with it,” Punch told Mensing. “Children are victimized for a profit and you are an accomplice.”

Punch told Mensing to never view child pornography again.

“If you have to take a sledgehammer to your computer, then do it,” Punch said.