POLICE

Karissa A. Sanchez, 27, of Malta, was charged Aug. 3 in the town of Ballston with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI – a felony with child under 16 tears of age in the vehicle, endangering the
welfare of a child, and multiple other infractions.  According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Sanchez had been traveling northbound on Schauber Road when the car swerved to avoid a deer,
causing the car to flip over onto its roof. There were three children aged 2 to 6 in the vehicle at the time. The were not injured. 

Andre Simmons, 19, of Schenectady, was charged July 30 in Saratoga Springs with disorderly conduct/ obstructing traffic. 

Dennis Lescault, 28, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 31 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle without signal devices/reflectors. 

Mark Desio, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 28 with criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Nicole Daly, 48, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 31 with felony grand larceny, and criminal impersonation. 

Corine Irish, 47, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 31 with felony welfare fraud. 

Sebastian Mabb, 27, of Clifton Park, was charged July 31 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor assault, criminal mischief, strangulation in the second-degree, and felony burglary.

James Altamirano, 39, of Ballston Spa, was charged July 29 in Saratoga Springs with criminal trespass. 

Bradley VanDusen, 56, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 29 with criminal mischief, and arson. 

Teva Glueck, 42, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 29 with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, leaving the scene of an accident, and multiple driving violations. 

Charles Maurer, 33, of Alcoa, Texas, was charged July 30 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, trespassing, and making an unsafe turn. 

Michael Twomey, 27, of Gansevoort, was charged July 30 in Saratoga Springs with assault in the second-degree w/intent to cause injury to officer/fireman/EMT/nurse/crossing guard. 

Joseph Benford, 32, of Elgin, Texas, was charged July 24 in Saratoga Springs wit misdemeanor DWI, and failure to use designated lane stop.

Johvanna Sampson, 37, of Paramus, N.J., was charged July 25 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI and multiple driving infractions. 

 Berry Brandon, 21, of Gansevoort, was charged July 26 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a controlled substance, operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs, and a vehicle equipment violation. 

Meghan Eddy, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 27 with criminal contempt in the second-degree. 

William A. Sawka, 38, of Gansevoort, was charged July 30 with felony assault, menacing, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, obstructing governmental administration, and criminal possession of a weapon. Sawka is accused of brandishing a knife, striking a person in the head with a folding chair, puncturing the tire of a person’s motor vehicle and causing physical injury to the arresting deputy,
according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. He was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail, or bond. 

Sheriff’s Office, Prevention Council Educate Boaters About Dangers Of Boating Under The Influence 

Weekly Update

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Prevention Council of Saratoga County joined the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office in the annual Operation Dry Water campaign, a coordinated campaign to educate boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

Alcohol use continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths and a leading contributor in boating accidents. The mission of Operation Dry Water is to reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water. 

Outreach partners and volunteers will be out on the water and at marinas in Saratoga County, working collaboratively with law enforcement to educate boaters about safe boating practices. Law enforcement will also be detecting and removing impaired operators from the water. No matter where you are boating, it is illegal to operate a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

In 2019, law enforcement officers across the nation issued a total of 9,524 citations and removed 563 impaired operators from our nation’s waterways. 

Boaters can learn more about boating under the influence by visiting PreventionCouncil.org or operationdrywater.org.

Weekly Update

COURT

Juan A. Vasquez, 46, of South Glens Falls, was arraigned and pleaded not guilty in Saratoga County Court July 24 to the felony charges murder in the second-degree, tampering with physical evidence, and the misdemeanor: criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

POLICE

Keegan Farrell, 20, of Greenfield Center, was charged July 21 in Saratoga Springs with felony burglary.

Perry Dow, 56, of Lake Luzerne, was charged July 21 in Saratoga Springs with assault in the second-degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth-degree, and menacing in the second-degree. 

Kelly Lion, 52, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 21 with criminal possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance in a non-original container. 

James Altamirano, 39, of Ballston Spa, was charged July 21 in Saratoga Springs with criminal trespass in the third-degree, a misdemeanor. 

David Dechants, 32, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 21 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third-degree. 

Scott Brennen, 41, of East Syracuse, was charged July 23 in Saratoga Springs with the misdemeanors: criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal contempt, and the violations: improper license plates, operating an unregistered vehicle, inadequate plate lamp – equipment. 

Joseph Benford, 32, of Elgin, was charged July 24 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, and failure to use designated lane. 

Candace K. Myers, 46, of Milton, was charged July 22 with aggravated unlicensed operation-alcohol and driving while ability impaired by drugs, after State Police responded to a one-car motor vehicle accident on Lewis Road in Milton. When a Trooper arrived, they found that the vehicle had left the roadway and struck a tree. Witnesses at the scene observed the driver exit the vehicle and leave on foot. Troopers were able to identify the driver.

Joseph H. Rogers, II, 31, of Granville, was charged July 26 with failing to report change of address or status within 10 days as a sex offender, and offering a false instrument for filing in the first-degree. He was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail, or bond. 

Matthew Mackley, 41, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 13 with criminal mischief in the second-degree, a felony. 

Chad Lang, 46, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 13 with petit larceny misdemeanor. 

Sally Apolinsky, 22, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 14 criminal tampering, possession of graffiti instruments, and making graffiti. All charges are misdemeanors. 

POLICE

Alexander Nikola, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 17 with criminal mischief. 

George Coleman, 32, of Amsterdam, was charged July 18 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Matthew Matrazzo, 23, of Ballston Spa, was charged July 18 in Saratoga Springs with disorderly conduct: obscene language/gestures. 

Donald Principe, 31, of Queensbury, was charged July 18 in Saratoga Springs with criminal trespass  — misdemeanor. 

Aturo Cruz-Agustin, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 19 with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident, after being involved in an accident on South Broadway. 

Randall Alger, 47, of New York, was charged July 19 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor petit larceny. 

Robert McCall, 59, of Ballston Spa, was charged July 18 in Saratoga Springs with two counts aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a violation for speeding.

Brendan Benequisto, 37, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 20 with criminal mischief: intent to damage property, a misdemanor. 

Yhashin White, 33, of Brooklyn, was charged July 11 in Saratoga Springs with felony DWI, refusal to take a breath test, drinking alcohol in motor vehicle on a highway, and two driving/ equipment violations. 

Richard McKeel, 25, of Newport, Virginia, was charged July 11 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and passing a red light. 

Daniel Brzywczy, 38, of Highland Falls, was charged July 13 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor assault, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

 William M. Biette, 44, of Latham, was charged July 15 with felony DWI, felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, assault in the third-degree, circumvention of an ignition interlock device, criminal contempt in the second-degree, reckless driving, and several vehicle and traffic infractions. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office, Biette was driving eastbound on Route 67 when he crossed the center line and struck two vehicles traveling westbound.  One of those drivers were trapped in their vehicle and needed to be extricated by emergency personnel. They were subsequently treated at Saratoga Hospital with a chest injury.  The incident occurred July 15 in the town of Malta. Biette was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail or bond.

New York State Police STOP DWI Campaign

The New York State Police announced July 21 that Troopers issued a total of 9,214 tickets statewide during the 4th of July STOP-DWI enforcement campaign. The special enforcement period began on Friday, July 3, and ended at 6 a.m. on Sunday, July 5.

During the 36-hour campaign, which was funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and ticketed distracted drivers who used handheld electronic devices.

Troopers arrested 180 people for DWI and investigated 456 crashes, including 99 personal injury crashes and one fatality, according to authorities. As part of the enforcement, Troopers also targeted speeding and aggressive drivers across the state. In the Capital Region specifically there were 20 DWI charges and 26 distracted driving charges. 

During last year’s 4th of July enforcement campaign, State Police issued 16,388 total tickets and arrested 255 people for DWI.

Additionally, State Police announced 85 tickets were issued for a host of violations, including speeding, use of a cell phone while driving, and failure to obey a flagger during two days of “Operation Hardhat” initiatives that took place on the Northway this month.

Motorists are urged to drive responsibly in work zones. They are reminded to move over a lane when safely possible, or slow down significantly, whenever encountering roadside vehicles displaying red, white, blue, amber or green lights, including maintenance and construction vehicles in work zones.

Dameon Myrick, 37, of Saratoga, was charged July 10 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Theodore Eichler, 33, of Schuylerville, was charged July 10 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Mosley Trashaun, 40, of Kingston, was charged July 8 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, and two driving violations. 

Jade Graves, 25, of Ballston Spa, was charged July 8 in Saratoga Springs with identity theft – a felony; criminal use drug paraphernalia – a misdemeanor, criminal possession of a controlled substance – one felony count, one misdemeanor count, and unlawful possession of marijuana.   

Jamaine Myers, 42, of Troy, was charged July 9 in Saratoga Springs with false impersonation, a misdemeanor. 

Debra Berry, 38, of Saratoga, was charged July 10 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

John Larkins, 32, of Troy was charged July 6 in Saratoga Springs with resisting arrest, obstruct governmental administration, harassment, criminal tampering, unlawful possession of marijuana and disorderly conduct: fight/violent behavior, in connection with an alleged incident on Phila Street. 

Eric E. Sadlon, 48, of Schenectady, was charged July 11 with two felony counts unlawful surveillance in the second-degree. Sadlon is accused of surreptitiously placing a recording device in an employee bathroom at a state-run residential home for people with disabilities where he was employed. The hidden camera captured images and video of unknowing employees while they were using the restroom.  The recording device was discovered by a female employee concealed within a USB wall charger. Sadlon was arraigned and released in Milton Town Court. The investigation is ongoing at this time. The Sheriff’s Office is working on the case along with investigators with the NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs.    

Todd D. Derush, 39, of Gansevoort was charged July 2 with felony assault, following an altercation at the Saratoga County Jail where he is currently incarcerated. The victim was treated at Saratoga Hospital for minor injuries. 

Angela M. Duross, 37, of Corinth, was charged June 29 with two felony counts criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fourth-degree and two felony counts criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth-degree. She is accused of actively selling controlled substances in the Village of Corinth. She was arraigned at Corinth Town Court and released to pre-trial services. 

Larry Stalbaum, 56, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 3 with misdemeanor DWI, speeding, and failure to keep right. 

Meghan Eddy, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 3 with felony burglary and misdemeanor petit larceny. 

Mary Tedesco, 51, of Glens Falls, was charged July 6 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, circumvent interlock, and false impersonation – all misdemeanors, and moved from lane unsafely – a violation. 

Cassandra Barden, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 5 with criminal contempt – a violation, and with a prior conviction of aggravated criminal contempt with five years rising to the count of a felony. 

Paolo Citone, 26, of Glenville, was charged June 30 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and license plate violation. 

Sean Phillips, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 30 with DWAI – rising to the count of a felony, and two driving violations. 

Joshua Usher, 27, of Ballston Spa, was charged June 30 in Saratoga Springs with criminal contempt, a misdemeanor. 

Ryan Meyer, 30, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 2 with misdemeanor DWI, and two driving/vehicle violations. 

Jaciel J. Santos, of Amsterdam, was charged June 24 in Milton with criminal possession of a forged instrument in the first-degree. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department, Santos is alleged to have been found to be in possession of counterfeit money while being booked into the Saratoga County Correctional Facility on an unrelated matter. He was arraigned before the Town of Milton Court, and released on his own recognizance. 

Thomas H. LeBlanc, 46, of Wrentham, Massachusetts was charged June 24 with arson in the third-degree. While working for Northline Utilities, LeBlanc is suspected of starting a company vehicle on fire by letting fireworks off within the vehicle.  LeBlanc was extradited back to New York State from the State of Massachusetts where he was being held as a fugitive from justice.  He was arraigned at the Town of Wilton Court, and released on his own recognizance.   

POLICE

Michael Joralemon, 43, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 26 with criminal mischief, a misdemeanor. 

Courtney Murray, 22, of Slingerlands, was charged June 26 in Saratoga Springs with felony grand larceny, felony identity theft, and the misdemeanors: criminal impersonation, and unlawful possession personal ID.

Zyaire Nays, 29, of Ballston Spa, was charged June 26 in Saratoga Springs with criminal mischief, and act in manner injure child. 

Matthew Moran, 25, was charged June 27 with misdemeanor DWI and failure to obey a traffic device.

Jonah Stallard, 27, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 27 with assault in the third-degree, a misdemeanor. 

David Lewis, 57, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 27 with misdemeanor DWI, criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana, harassment, and three driving violations, after being involved in a personal injury accident.

Diane Foglietta, 61, of Schuylerville, was charged June 28 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a speeding violation.

Nathan Surprenant, 31, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 23 with misdemeanor petit larceny. 

Andrea Smith, 33, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 24 with petit larceny, and criminal possession of stolen property. Both charges are misdemeanors. 

Craig Bassett, 44, of Ballston Spa, was charged June 26 in Saratoga Springs with possession of a controlled substance in a non-original container. 

Brian Raymond, 50, Chad Lang, 46, John Lavada, 30, Jason Rector, 39, Lorie Savage, 54 – all of Saratoga Springs, were each cited June 24 with one count trespass on Woodlawn Avenue. 

Dennis Lascault, 28 and Dylan Barber, 27 – both of Saratoga Springs were each cited June 27 with trespass. 

Daniel Flores, 24, of Glens Falls, was charged June 28 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and two driving violations. 

POLICE

Shawn Soderberg, 45, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 20 with aggravated family offense – a felony; criminal contempt in the first-degree: violate order of protection – a felony, and three misdemeanors: stalking, aggravated harassment: communicate threat by phone, and coercion. 

Luciano Antinelli, 18, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 20 with criminal tampering, and third degree assault- both misdemeanors, and possession of a forged instrument – a felony. 

Andrew Rocco, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 17 with criminal contempt in the second-degree – a misdemeanor, and aggravated family offense – a felony. 

Kevin Savard, 43, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 18 with criminal trespass,
a misdemeanor. 

David Tenace, 52, of Schenectady, was charged June 18 in Saratoga Springs with menacing in the second-degree: weapon – a misdemeanor, and burglary in the first-degree: displays what appears to be a firearm – a felony. Tenace was arrested on a warrant. 

Kory Willis, 30, of Saratoga Springs, was cited June 17 with trespassing. 

Joseph Murray, 44, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 14 with second degree robbery – a felony, and unlawful imprisonment – a misdemeanor. 

Justin Sherman, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 14 with second degree robbery – a felony, and criminal mischief – a misdemeanor. 

Andrea Smith, 33, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 15 with making graffiti – a misdemeanor, and trespassing. 

Carly Premo, 37, of Clifton Park, was charged June 15 in Saratoga Springs with two misdemeanor counts of stalking in the fourth-degree.   

Angela M. Duross, 37, of Corinth, was charged June 23 with assault in the second-degree, a felony. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, in connection with a domestic incident in the village of Corinth, Duross is accused of striking a person known to her with a broom, resulting in injury to that person’s head and facial area. She was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail. 

Christina N. Pickett, 34, of Ballston Spa, was charged June 16 with operating motor vehicle impaired by drugs, aggravated DWI, child less than 16 (Leandra’s Law) and endangering the welfare of a child. She is accused of operating a motor vehicle in the town of Milton while under the influence of drugs and having had four children under the age of 16 in the vehicle with her at the time.

Richard C. Currier, II, 32, of Ballston Spa, was charged June 22 with felony DWI and aggravated DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to observe a police officer, and three driving and vehicle equipment violations, after allegedly operating his vehicle with a missing tire and striking a traffic sign in Niskayuna. He was eventually stopped on Kingsley Road in the town of Ballston, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.   

Levi J.S. Tripp, 38, of Fort Edward, was charged on a warrant for failure to report an address change as a sex offender, and sent to Warren County Jail. 

Jake I. Hodgdon, 39, of Swanton, Vermont, was charged June 15 with criminal mischief in the second-degree, and grand larceny in the fourth-degree – both felonies, and auto stripping – a misdemeanor. Hodgdon is accused of entering onto a victim’s property in the town of Malta and removing a catalytic converter from their vehicle. The victim, who was on the property at the time, observed Hodgdon on their security system and confronted him, according to State Police. Hodgdon jumped in his vehicle and fled. An arrest warrant was obtained for Hodgdon, who was located by state police in Saratoga and taken into custody. He was released on his own recognizance and is due back in Malta Town Court on Aug. 13. 

SPEED WEEK

New York State Police announced that Troopers issued 24,980 total traffic tickets during the special “Speed Week” traffic enforcement campaign. “Speed Week” –  conducted from Thursday, June 11, to Wednesday, June 17 – targeted speeding and other unsafe driving behaviors, including distracted driving and violations of the Move Over Law. 

Troopers issued 13,131 tickets for speeding, 574 for distracted driving, 294 for Move Over law violations, and arrested 186 people for drunk and impaired driving. State Police also responded to 158 personal injury crashes, including three fatal crashes.

In the Capital Region specifically, 966 tickets were issued, and 20 DWI charges made. During the June 2019 Speed Week detail, State Police overall issued 25,097 total tickets, including 13,055 for speeding.

Adam Gerling, 28, of Albany, was cited June 8 with two counts – one felony and one misdemeanor – criminal possession of stolen property.

Nicole Rose, 42, of Stillwater, was cited June 8 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle without an inspection certificate. 

Jade Graves, 25, of Ballston Spa, was charged June 10 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, refusal to take a breath test, failure to stop at a stop sign, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Sean Thomas, 30, of Ballston Spa, was charged June 12 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, speeding and failure to keep right. 

Mario T. Gonzalez, 31, of Rockaway Park, was charged June 12 with one felony and one misdemeanor count criminal possession of a controlled substance, and single counts of criminal use drug paraphernalia, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, and a vehicle equipment violation. Additionally, Miguel A. Santana, age 29, of Far Rockaway, was charged with two felony counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, and one count unlawful possession of marijuana. According to city police, officers on patrol conducted a traffic stop on State Route 50 south of Hutchins Road. The vehicle was operated by Gonzalez, while Santana was the sole passenger. Investigation at the scene led to the seizure of a suspected approximate 20 grams of crack cocaine from Santana, over 2 grams of heroin from Gonzalez, and more than $2000 in U.S. currency. 

Emmanuel D. Laury, 29, of Troy, was charged June 6 in the town of Ballston with attempted identity theft in the first-degree. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, on April 18 Laury was suspected of using the personal identifying information of a victim without permission in an attempt to secure a personal loan in excess of $5,000.  The loan was not issued by the financial institution. 

Saratoga Springs — Two personal injury accidents occurred in Saratoga Springs on June 10. 

The first took place on State Route 50 just south of Hutchins Road about 3:37 pm. A 1998 Honda Accord, which had been traveling northbound and contained three people, went off the eastside of State Route 50 and collided with a telephone pole. The 30-year-old male passenger in the front seat sustained a non-life-threatening head injury. The 7-year-old male passenger in the back seat suffered more significant head trauma and was listed in critical condition. Both patients were transported to Albany Medical Center. 

The driver of the vehicle, 28-year-old Paul Pike of Corinth, did not report injuries. Pike, based upon the initial investigation, was allegedly found to be impaired. He was subsequently charged with the felonies: aggravated vehicle assault, DWAI by drugs with two prior convictions designated offenses within 10 years, aggravated DWI with a child with 2 prior convictions within 10 years, and aggravated unlicensed operation in the first-degree. Pike was additionally charged with two misdemeanors and a driving violation. 

The second accident took place at 4:29 p.m. at the Church Street/Kirby Road intersection. A 2014 Kia sedan pulling out from Kirby Road onto Church Street, failed to yield to a 1996 GMC Yukon which was traveling eastbound on Church Street and both vehicles collided, according to Saratoga Springs Police. The Yukon, after the initial collision, ended up in the westbound lane of Church Street where it collided with a 2013 Cadillac sedan traveling westbound on Church Street. In all there were 9 people involved in this accident; 6 of which were transported to Saratoga Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries or for evaluation. Their ages ranged from 1 month to 46 years old. The 65-year-old driver of the Kia, who was not named, was cited for failing to yield the right-of-way.

Erika Petit, 38, of Ballston Spa, was charged June 5 in Saratoga Springs with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and following too close, after being involved in a property damage accident on Ballston Avenue. 

Victor Maffetone, 34, and Jason McMahaon, 43 – both of Saratoga Springs, were each cited June 5 with disorderly conduct: fight/violent behavior, on Woodlawn Avenue. 

Emeline Weir, 34, Meghan McCabe, 40, Yisel Martinez, 41, and Brian Raymond, 50 – all of Saratoga Springs, were each cited June 5 on Woodlawn Avenue with trespassing. 

Andrew Baker, 52, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 6 on a warrant with felony burglary, second-degree assault, and strangulation, and the misdemeanors menacing and criminal possession of a weapon. 

Ciera Krom, 26, of Mechanicville, was charged June 7 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI and aggravated DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, felony aggravated DWI – with a passenger less than 16 years of age, and the violations: speeding, and moving from lane unsafely.     

Dayna Alsberry, 22, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 2 with third degree assault, a misdemeanor. 

Briana Thompson, 20, of Ballston Spa, was charged June 3 in Saratoga Springs with felony assault and criminal possession of a weapon and criminal obstruction of breathing – both misdemeanors. 

Jennifer Bialahoski, 39, of Schenectady, was charged June 4 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of drug paraphernalia – both misdemeanors, following a traffic stop. 

Eugene Wachtel, 53, of Schenectady, was charged June 4 in Saratoga Springs with felony criminal possession of a controlled substance, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle -a misdemeanor, and four driving related violations, following a traffic stop.    

Nathaniel Tucker, 22, of Hudson Falls, was charged May 28 with attempted disseminating indecent material to minors in the first-degree, a felony. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Tucker allegedly showed up to meet who he thought was a 15-year-old girl he had talked to online. Tucker agreed to meet the young girl at a town park in Saratoga County, where detectives were waiting for him. During the online conversations, Tucker spoke of and made plans of meeting the 15-year-old for a sexual relationship, according to authorities.  The person he believed to be a 15-year-old female was an online undercover Investigator with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.Tucker was taken into custody without incident with the assistance of the Albany, FBI Child Exploitation Task Force (CETF). He was released and will appear in The Milton Town Court at a later date.

Jacob W. Ruth, 24, of East Greenbush, was charged May 28 with rape in the first-degree, and unlawful surveillance in the second-degree, both felonies. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Ruth was charged following an investigation into a sexual assault that had occurred earlier in the year in the town of Malta. He was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $30,000 cash or $60,000 bond, and is scheduled to appear in the Saratoga County Court at a later date.   

Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree – Class D Felony (2 counts against each defendant) Kenneth Burdick, 46, and Alex Shippee, 28 – both of Hadley, were each charged with one count reckless endangerment in the first-degree, and Kyle D. Baker, 46, of Warrensberg was charged with two counts reckless endangerment in the first-degree, in connection with an incident that occurred May 11 on Hollow Road in the town of Day. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, the men acted in concert by firing gun shots in the direction of two occupied residences which had numerous people sleeping inside. No injuries were reported. 

POLICE

Yisel Martinez, 41, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 29 with disorderly conduct/ violent behavior. 

Ruth Byrne, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 29 with first degree burglary/use of threaten the use of a dangerous instrument, a felony, second degree assault /intent to cause physical injury, a felony, and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor. 

Colby Guilder, 19, of Corinth, was charged May 30 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor. 

Terrance Rudes, 28, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 25 with misdemeanor petit larceny, and misdemeanor criminal trespass. 

James Altamirano, 39, of Ballston Spa, was charged May 25 in Saratoga Springs with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. 

Nathan Shreve, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 26 with two counts misdemeanor assault, unlawful imprisonment, criminal obstruction of breathing, felony assault, and felony grand larceny. 

Louis Guerra, 45, of The Bronx, was charged May 26 in Saratoga Springs with criminal contempt in the first-degree, a felony. 

Michael June, 36, of Schenectady, was charged May 28 in Saratoga Springs with felony DWI, felony aggravated DWI, circumventing interlock, obstructing a governmental official, having no motor vehicle license, and second degree harassment. 

Antonio Lind, 26, of Mechanicville, was charged May 28 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and speed not prudent or reasonable. 

New York State Police issued more than 8,900 tickets during a special traffic enforcement period during Memorial Day Weekend. During the campaign, which started on Friday, May 22 and ran through 3 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, State Police increased patrols and conducted sobriety checkpoints to deter, identify and arrest impaired drivers. The initiative was funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC). During this enforcement period, State Troopers arrested 203 people for DWI, and investigated 457 crashes, which injured 11 people. State Police responded to two fatal crashes during the weekend. As part of the enforcement, Troopers also targeted drivers speeding and aggressive drivers across the State and issued a total of 8,907 tickets for a variety of vehicle and traffic violations.

COURT

Joseph W. Welch, age 38, of Schroon Lake, was charged May 27 in Saratoga Springs with one misdemeanor count and one felony count assault, and criminal possession of a weapon. Police said at about 7 p.m. May 27 they were called to Railroad Place for a fight-in-progress involving two men, and that a subsequent investigation allegedly showed that Welch, who was one of the two men, was the aggressor. The victim was a 35-year-old man who sustained minor injuries. Welch was additionally found to have an open warrant with the Saratoga Springs Police Department that stemmed from an incident that took place March 4 on West Harrison Street where it is alleged Welch assaulted a 40-year-old male victim by cutting the victim’s face with a knife. The victim, due to the nature of the injury, was transported to Albany Medical Center for emergency treatment. The injury, while significant, was not life threatening. Welch was arraigned on May 28 and sent to jail without bail.

State Police in Saratoga arrested 29-year-old Kyle C. Hitchcock of Malta, on May 26. Hitchcock was charged with the misdemeanors: criminal mischief in the fourth-degree/ prevent emergency call; criminal mischief in the fourth-degree/ intent to damage property, and petit larceny, as well as the violation of harassment in the second-degree. Troopers responded to a residence in Ballston Lake regarding a domestic dispute. After speaking with the parties involved, it was determined that Hitchcock had struck the victim and taken their car keys when they tried to leave. He is also accused of breaking the victim’s cellphone when they attempted to contact police. Hitchcock was taken into custody and transported to SP Saratoga for processing. He was arraigned in Malta Town Court and released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court on July 15.