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Police Beat: Le Roy man accused of stealing road salt from DOT

By Howard B. Owens

Walter Lyle Knickerbocker, 53, of South Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Knickerbocker is accused of stealing road salt from the DOT salt barn on routes 19 and 20, Pavilion. The alleged theft(s) occurred on and before Jan. 19.

Aaron D. Swimline, 24, of Main Road, Corfu, is charged with a felony count of DWI, a felony count of aggravated DWI (driving with a BAC of .18 or greater), unlawful possession of marijuana, speed not reasonable nor prudent, moving from lane unsafely. Swimline was reportedly involved in a one-car accident at 12:59 a.m., Saturday in the area of 2553 Main Road, Corfu. The accident was investigated by Deputy Howard Carlson.

LaToya Tamika Vialva, 19, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Vialva is accused of being on College Village property after being banned from the property.

Level 3 offender pleads not guilty to new abuse charges

By Howard B. Owens

A Level 3 sex offender accused of committing similar offenses within months of his release from custody entered not guilty pleas in Genesee County Court today to the four counts against him.

Ronald A. Smith, 18, of 679 E. Main St., is charged with failure to register a change of address and three counts of sexual abuses, 1st.

Smith was allegedly living on Thorpe Street when he allegedly sexually abused at least one child. When he moved from Thorpe, he allegedly did not notify police of his correct address.

Smith is being held on $25,000 bail.

Public Defender Jerry Ader will have 45 days to prepare and make motions in the case.

Police Beat: Darien man charged with 39 counts of criminal contempt

By Howard B. Owens

Paul Douglas Marquardt, 38, of Chick Road, Darien, charged with 39 counts of criminal contempt, 2nd. Marquardt is accused of having contact with a person he was barred by court order from contacting. He was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Michael Jason Sullivan, 39, of Hosmer Road, Churchville, is charged with petit larceny. Sullivan was stopped by Gates Police, who discovered there was an active warrant for Sullivan's arrest in Genesee County. Sullivan is accused of stealing scrap metal from Demo's, Clinton Street Road, Bergen.

Matthew Roy Ace, 24, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Ace was taken into custody by Batavia Police on a bench warrant and turned over to the Sheriff's Office. Ace was jailed on $100 bail.

Attorney previously arrested at GCC returns to gym for Monroe CC game

By Howard B. Owens

John Parrinello, the Monroe County attorney who was kicked out of a basketball game at Genesee Community College on Dec. 12, was back at the scene of the alleged crime Thursday night.

Parrinello who reportedly has a long history of supporting women's basketball at Monroe Community College, and who has a son who now coaches the team, was in the stands just prior to the start of a game between MCC and GCC.

A school official said until Parrinello is allowed on campus pending the outcome of the legal case that led to his arrest.

The MCC district trustee was originally charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, for allegedly refusing to leave the gym after reportedly mouthing off to a ref during an MCC game. 

The charges against Parrinello were reduced this week to a violation of trespass and two counts of disorderly conduct.

After his appearance in Batavia Town Court where he entered a not guilty plea, Parrinello said, "I'm presumed to be innocent. They have to prove me guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, which they'll never do."

For previous coverage, click here.

Sheriff's Office looking for larceny suspects who may have ties to the area

By Howard B. Owens

The Sheriff's Office is looking for help in identifying a larceny suspect who may have ties to Genesee County. Further details about the alleged crimes and suspects are not available for release.

The alleged crimes occurred in another jurisdiction.

Anybody with information to share should contact Deputy Chris Parker at 585-345-3000, ext. 3249.

Elba resident accused of possessing crack cocaine

By Howard B. Owens

The Local Drug Enforcement Task Force has  arrested an Elba resident who was stopped by a Sheriff's patrol in November and allegedly found in possession of a quantity of crack cocaine with the intention to sell.

Taken into custody Tuesday was Mark C. Gregori, 49, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba.

He is charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd.

Gregori was jailed on $10,000 bail.

State Street resident accused of selling cocaine

By Howard B. Owens

A Batavia resident was arrested on a drug-trafficking warrant following a traffic stop on Washington Avenue on Tuesday by members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

He is accused of selling cocaine in and around the City of Batavia.

Charged with four felonies in a sealed indictment is Jeffery A. Hewitt, 32, of State Street.

He is accused of selling drugs to an agent of the task force.

Hewitt is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd.

Hewitt was jailed without bail pending arraignment in Genesee County Court.

Le Roy-based meth dealer pleads guilty to federal charge

By Howard B. Owens

Updated 9:19 p.m.

A Le Roy resident who appears to have headed a Genesee County-based methamphetamine ring entered a guilty plea in federal court today to a drug dealing charge.

The charge -- conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine -- carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $4 million fine.

Donald G. Vanelli II, 47, of 8394 Lake St., Le Roy, was arrested in July following a months-long investigation by local, state and federal authorities into meth sales and distribution in Genesee and Monroe counties. Three other Genesee County residents along with a Monroe County resident were also arrested and accused of dealing meth.

The investigation revealed, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, that Vanelli was responsible for procuring from suppliers and distributing between 5 and 15 kilograms of methamphetamine from 2004 through July 2010.

A kilo equals 2.2 pounds. The estimated street value of a pound of meth is between $15,000 and $25,000.

The contents of  an affidavit released by authorities after his arrest gives the appearance that Vanelli was the kingpin of the meth distribution ring, with other alleged dealers coming to him for their supplies, and Vanelli working with a Monroe County source to allegedly acquire meth from unnamed sources.

During the investigation, law enforcement authorities seized approximately 75 grams of methamphetamine, three firearms, and more than $6,000 in cash.

As part of the plea agreement, the defendant agreed to forfeit to the government a 9mm rifle, a 9mm magazine and 78 rounds of 9mm ammunition that were seized from his Le Roy residence.

Sentencing is set for 3:15 p.m., May 10, in Rochester Federal Court.

The charges against the four other defendants in case are still pending.

Vanelli's co-defendants are Donna L. Boon (aka Donna Mcauly), 44, of 3658 Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road; Andrew W. Chapman, 40, of 5 Cedar St., Batavia; Kerry A. Ball, 51, of 7202 Meadville Road, Basom; and, David H. Cohen, 49, of 918 Goodman St., Rochester.

Farrall Park paramour returns from Florida, appears in court

By Howard B. Owens

Justin Amend, who admitted to public lewdness for engaging in a sexual act in Farrall Park with Suzanne Corona, appeared in City Court this morning.

The 29-year-old former Oakfield resident had been a fugitive from justice after he failed to appear for sentencing in November. He turned himself in this week.

Upon appearing before Judge Robert Balbick this morning, Amend's attorney, Tom Williams, requested permission to apply to the Sheriff's Office for a weekend work-release program. 

Spots are limited in the program and there is no guarantee Amend will be accepted.

Balbick also said given Amend's decision to move out of the area, any prior sentencing agreement no longer applies.

"At this point he stands before me having entered a guilty plea to public lewdness, a Class B misdemeanor," Balbick told Williams. "I have complete authority to sentence him within full perimeters of the law."

Amend could face up to 90 days in jail.

Sentencing is scheduled for next Wednesday.

Police Beat: Woman accused of crimes in separate incidents at College Village

By Howard B. Owens

Ajuna Mona Pruitt, 19, of Dawnhaven Drive, Rochester, is charged with reckless endangerment and criminal trespass, 2nd. Pruitt is accused of entering a room at College Village without permission and then, while in the parking lot, striking another woman with her car. The alleged incident occurred at 6:30 p.m., Monday.

Ajuna M. Pruitt, 19, of Dawnhaven Drive, Rochester, along with Ebony S. Barnes, 18, of Chaplain Street, Rochester and Shibritney M. Colbert, 19, of Shelter Street, Rochester, are charged with harassment, 2nd. The trio are accused of going to an apartment at College Village at 10:39 p.m., Tuesday, and banging and kicking on a door in an attempt to get the resident to come out and fight.

Danielle Marie Kotmel, 30, of East Main Street, Corfu, is charged with petit larceny. Kotmel is accused of stealing a red Dell laptop computer. The alleged theft is believed to have occurred in December but was not discovered until an audit was completed in January.

Robert G. Woodhouse Jr., 50, of Creek Road, Bethany, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Woodhouse is accused of entering a residence and remaining unlawfully. He's also accused of damaging a door.

Richard John Downs, 48, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, was arrested on a probation warrant out of Town of Elba Court.

Steven Michael Keaton, 38, of Gilbert Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Keaton is accused of contacting a woman whom he was ordered not to contact.

Monroe County attorney arrested at basketball game faces reduced charges

By Howard B. Owens

Legal charges against a Monroe County attorney and school board trustee accused of causing a ruckus at a basketball tournament in Batavia were reduced by the District Attorney's Office today.

John Parrinello, an appointed member of  Monroe County Community College Board of Trustees, now faces charges of trespass as a violation and two violations of disorderly conduct.

The charges stem for an Dec. 12 incident at Genesee Community College when Parrinello allegedly hassled a referee during a college women's basketball game and then refused to leave the gym when ordered by security. He was arrested after a State Trooper arrived and Parrinello allegedly failed to follow his instructions about which exit to use as he left the gym.

The original misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass, 3rd, were dropped, but not without Parrinello making a stink about the change.

"I want to know what's happening with the criminal trespass, 3rd, charge?" Parrinello asked while standing before Justice Michael Cleveland. "That's why I was handcuffed, cutting my wrists, put in a patrol car, had my mugshot (taken) and published in all the newspapers."

Assistant District Attorney Melissa Cianfrini kept trying to explain that the charges were being amended and Perrinello repeatedly interrupted her.

Cianfrini asked for a short recess to make a phone call and Perrinello complained that he had been waiting for the case to be called for two hours and didn't want to wait any longer.

Cleveland allowed Cianfrini to make her call and she returned and explained that she would submit the new charges and ask Cleveland to drop criminal trespass charge.

Perrinello's attorney, Batavia-based Lisa Kroemer, asked that the charges be dropped without prejudice and Cianfrini objected.

Kroemer said that in order to prepare for trial and make proper motions, she and her client needed to know that the misdemeanor charge wouldn't be refiled.

Cleveland said he would drop the charge without prejudice, which means the charge can be refiled.

The reason the lesser charges were filed, Cianfrini said, is that after a review of statements, evidence and interviewing witnesses, the reduced charges were more appropriate.

Kroemer refused to answer questions after the hearing, but Parrinello spoke briefly with reporters before getting in his Cadillac and driving away.

"They knew, or should have known, that what they arrested me for was not a proper charge,” Parrinello said, adding, "I'm presumed to be innocent. They have to prove me guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, which they'll never do."

Attorney for Charvella seeking change of venue again

By Howard B. Owens

The case of Chris Charvella, accused of placing an unwanted phone call to Legislator Jay Grasso, is moving back to Genesee County Court with a request that Judge Robert C. Noonan reassign the case again.

Previously, the case was moved from Le Roy Town Court to Town of Batavia because both judges in Le Roy had conflicts of interest.

Charvella's attorney, E. Robert Fussell, told Town of Batavia Justice Michael Cleveland that he and the District Attorney's Office agreed the case should be heard by a judge who is an attorney.

Cleveland is not an attorney.

Justice Tom Williams in Town of Batavia Court is an attorney.

Cleveland said that when the case was moved to Batavia, he and Williams discussed the case and decided that Cleveland would hear the case. Cleveland did not explain why they reached that decision.

Fussell will submit an application to Noonan to have the case reassigned to another town court, such as Stafford, where an attorney sits on the bench. Yet Stafford does not have two judges with a legal degree. The case could still wind up before a non-attorney judge.

The case needs to be heard by a judge who is an attorney, Fussell said, because of the Constitutional issues involved in the case.

Charvella is charged with harassment, 2nd, under the provision of the law that prohibits phone calls for no legitimate purpose.

After some back-and-forth between Charvella and Grasso prior to the last election -- in which Charvella reportedly wrote that he would shove some campaign signs up some people's rear ends -- Charvella called Grasso's house and said, "Thanks for reading my blog."

Grasso, who represents Le Roy, contacted State Police and had Charvella arrested on the harassment, 2nd, charge.

For previous coverage, click here.

Grand Jury Report: Level 3 sex offender indicted on new charges

By Howard B. Owens

Ronald A. Smith is indicted on charges of failure to register change of address and three counts of sexual abuse, 1st. Smith is a convicted sex offender and registered at an address on Thorpe Street and on or about Oct. 31 allegedly failed to registered a change of address. Count two of the indictment accuses Smith of holding a victim less than 11 years old in his arms and subjecting the victim to sexual contact at the Thorpe Street address some time between Oct. 28 and Jan. 7. Counts three and four are similar. (Previous Report)

Jacob C. Gerevics is indicted on a charge of criminal possession of marijuana. On Oct. 19, at 446 Broadway Road, #5, Darien, Gerevics was allegedly found in possession of more than 16 ounces of "one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing marijuana."

William A. Andrews is indicted on a charge of criminal contempt, 1st. On Dec. 9, in violation of an order of protection, Andrews is accused of stating to a protected party "I'll make you a bloody mess!" and "I'll stab you and burn you all!"

Police Beat: Suspect reportedly Tasered after struggle with officers

By Howard B. Owens

Damion Michael Frye, 35, of 3662 Route 19 South, Warsaw, is charged with resisting arrest, escape and trespass. Fry is accused of refusing to leave The Eagle Hotel after being asked to do so by security. Le Roy Police responded and officers Robert Tygart and Emily Clark reportedly approached Frye and he was reportedly given several opportunities to leave. When he allegedly refused, he was placed under arrest. Frye allegedly refused to cooperate with the officers and struggled when they tried to place him into custody. Deputies from the Sheriff's Office responded to assist. Frye was Tasered by Deputy Frank Bordonaro. There was then a short foot pursuit before Frye was taken into custody. Frye was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Kenyada R. Peterkin, 29, of 323 Saxton St., Rochester, is charged with menacing, 3rd, criminal mischief, 4th, and endangering the welfare of a child. Peterkin is accused of going to the residence of a woman whom he knows at 5:30 p.m., Friday, and damaging her personal property. He also allegedly threatened the woman there with heated cooking oil. A child present at the time.

Robert L. Williams Jr., 20, of 337 Ellicott St., Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Williams was allegedly involved in a disturbance in the parking lot of Days Inn, 200 Oak St., Batavia. He was reportedly advised to leave and refused, shouting obscenities. When Officers Darryl Streeter and Eric Bolles attempted to arrest Williams, he allegedly struggled with officers.

Cody Lee Niccloy, 19, of Summit Street, Le Roy, is chargd with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, moving from lane unsafely and speed not reasonable for conditions. Niccloy was involved in a property damage accident at 2:47 a.m., Friday, at 7982 Byron Road, Stafford. Upon investigation by Deputy Eric Seppala, Niccloy was allegedly found to be intoxicated.

A 17-year-old resident of Route 237, Byron is charged with petit larceny. She is accused of stealing an iPod Touch from the locker room at Le Roy High School.

Chantel M. Garrett, 18, of Batavia-Stafford Townline Road, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Garrett is accused of punching another student in the face while in a dorm room at College Village.

Kevin John Milbrand, 46, of South Lake Road, Pembroke, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Milbrand was allegedly involved in a fight with another Pembroke resident.

Jeannie M. Mobley, 35, of 10 Hall St., Batavia, is charged with DWAI, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and unsafe backing. Mobley is accused of backing into another at car at 5:48 p.m., Sunday, near the Clinton Street entrance of Eastown Plaza.

Spencer Court resident accused of possessing $940 in forged currency

By Howard B. Owens

A Batavia man is facing 42 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument after members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force searched his residence on Spencer Court and allegedly found forged U.S. currency with a face value of $940.

Taken into custody and jailed with no bail is Lendle R. Tucker, 28.

Also seized on Friday were Tucker's computer and printers.

He was also allegedly found in possession of marijuana, and so charged with one count of unlawful possession of marijuana.

The arrest of Lendle reportedly follows an investigation by the task force into the production and possession of forged U.S currency.

Lendle was allegedly found in possession of forged currency in various denominations.

The investigation is continuing and further arrests are possible.

Assisting in the investigation were Le Roy Police, Batavia Police, the District Attorney's Office and Orleans County Major Crimes Task Force.

Bergen man accused of possession cocaine, pills and marijuana

By Howard B. Owens

A Bergen man has been arrested by the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force and accused of possessing $1,000 in drugs and nearly $1,000 in cash.

Lucien J. Marks, 31, of South Lake Road, was taken into custody following the execution of a search warrant at his residence.

He was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana

Investigators say they found more than a half ounce of cocaine, a quantity of pills, marijuana and $924 in cash.

The task force is comprised of members of the Sheriff's Office, Batavia Police and Le Roy Police.

The execution of the warrant was the culmination of a month-long investigation.

Marks was jailed on $25,000 bail.

Batavia man accused of possessing shotgun with serial numbers removed

By Howard B. Owens

A Batavia man was arrested in Oakfield on Jan. 14 after allegedly being found in possession of a shotgun with its serial numbers removed.

A Sheriff's Office press release accuses Jeffery T. Peyman, 21, of Ellicott Street, of possessing a shotgun with its serial numbers obscured with the intent of concealing the gun's identity.

Peyman was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. He was located on Pearl Street Road in Oakfield allegedly in possession of the shotgun.

The arrest was made by the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Peyman was arraigned and jailed on $5,000 bail.

Hearing for rape suspect postponed

By Howard B. Owens

A pre-trial hearing, called a felony hearing, was postponed today for Patrick Donahue, the 21-year-old Batavia man accused of rape in the first degree.

Donahue made bail, removing the legal requirement to have the felony hearing within a few days of his arrest.

The hearing is the first chance his attorney gets at challenging the evidence against him.

Donahue is accused of raping a 30-year-old woman at a residence on Walnut Street on Jan. 10.

Sentence corrected for Ron Wendt

By Howard B. Owens

Ronald J. Wendt, convicted last year in the drinking-and-driving death of an 18-year-old Dansville girl, appeared in County Court today to have his sentence on two of his charges corrected.

On two charges of assault, 2nd, Wendt was given two-and-a-half to seven years as an "indeterminant" sentence, meaning he could serve any portion of that range and be eligible for parole. 

Since his initial sentence, however, authorities realized that on charges of assault, 2nd, a defendant cannot receive an indeterminate sentence.

Today, Judge Robert C. Noonan sentenced Wendt to a two-and-a-half years determinant sentence on those charges.

The change doesn't effect Wendt's sentence on other charges and since the sentencing on all 11 counts were concurrent, Wendt could still be eligible for parole in little more than a year (he served more than a year in jail while awaiting trial prior to his conviction).

For previous sentencing coverage, click here.

Also in court this morning, Patricia Hardesty, accused of shooting her husband in the knee during a domestic dispute in August, entered not guilty pleas to three felony charges, including assault, 1st, and assault, 2nd. Hardesty is out of jail and under the supervision of Genesee Justice. Her husband requested that no order of protection be placed in the case, so none was issued. The couple continues to reside together in their County Line Road home.

Police Beat: DWI charge in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Jody B. Gillett, 50, of Pine Hollow Drive, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .18 or greater. Gillett was arrested after allegedly being observed by Le Roy Police Officer John Duyssen driving at an excessive speed and spinning the car around in the Tops Market parking lot.

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