POLICE

A 20-year-old Greenfield man was charged with 10 counts of reckless endangerment in the first-degree, in connection with an alleged shooting incident in the village of Schuylerville Sunday afternoon, Sept. 13. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff's department, Charles L. Bennifield is suspected of firing a shotgun at a residence on Washington Street, which was occupied by 10 people at the time.  No one was injured in the incident.  Bennifield was arraigned at Town of Saratoga Court, and sent to Saratoga County Jail, in lieu of $100,000 cash bail, $200,000 secured bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured insurance bond.

John J. Martino, 34, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 15 with menacing in the second-degree, robbery in the second-degree, petit larceny, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, in connection with an alleged incident that occurred in Wilton. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office, Martino entered a vehicle on Sept. 9, displayed what appeared to be a handgun and demanded cash and drugs. It is alleged Martino physically took a vape pen from one victim’s hand and exited the vehicle.  The victim’s minor children were present in the back seat of the vehicle during the incident.  The handgun was later determined to be a BB gun. Martino was arraigned in the Wilton Town Court and released to pre-trial services. 

Dean J. Atwell, 31, of Milton, was charged Sept. 16 with robbery in the third-degree, attempted robbery in the third-degree, burglary in the second-degree – all felonies; endangering the welfare of a child, criminal mischief , and resisting arrest – all misdemeanors, in connection with an alleged domestic incident at a residence in the town of Greenfield.  Atwell is suspected to have forced entry into a home, causing damage to the doorway, and forcefully stealing property from one of the residents. The victim is a female acquaintance of the suspect. Atwell later attempted to steal additional property from the victim, in the presence of the female’s child, but the woman was able to fight him off, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Atwell was arraigned and is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail, $60,000 insured bond, or $300,000 unsecured bond, to return to court at a later date. 

Christopher R. Swistak, 46, of Ballston Spa, was charged Sept. 10 with petit larceny, and grand larceny in the fourth-degree. He will appear in Milton Town Court at a later date. 

Sharon Pratt, 76, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 14 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a suspended vehicle registration. 

Kwame Pennick, 30, of Schenectady, was charged Sept. 14 in Saratoga Springs was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to keep right. 

Anastasia Thrane, 24, of Stillwater, was charged Sept. 15 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a speeding violation. 

Christopher Anderson, 22, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 15 with misdemeanor DWI, and operating motor vehicle without signal/reflectors. 

Kory Willis, 30, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 15 with assault in the third-degree, a misdemeanor. 

Justin Harris, 32, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 16 with third degree assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and unauthorized use of a vehicle: without owner consent. All three charges are misdemeanors. 

William Kelly, 35, of Clifton Park, was charged Sept. 16 in Saratoga Springs was charged with forcible touching, a misdemeanor. 

David Lolik, 50, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 16 with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. 

Chad Lang, 46, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 17 with petit larceny and criminal trespass. Both charges are misdemeanors. 

Kevin Clark, 31, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 18 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a speeding violation. 

COURT

Khylan L. Hunt, 34, of Ballston Spa, pleaded Sept. 10 to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, in connection with charges on March 14 in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing Oct. 30. 

Joseph W.  Harrington, 19, of Rock City Falls, pleaded Sept. 10 to sexual abuse in the first-degree, in connection with charges June 21, 2019 in Milton.  Sentencing Nov. 12. 

POLICE

Thomas J. Hunt, 31, of Ballston Lake, was charged Sept. 10 with criminal mischief in the second-degree as a hate crime. He is accused of spray painting a racial epithet on an employee’s vehicle.  The vehicle was located at a business in the Northway 10 Industrial Park, in the Town of Clifton Park. Hunt was processed and arraigned at Town of Halfmoon Court Justice and released on his own recognizance, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. Hunt is scheduled to appear before the Town of Clifton Park court at a later, unspecified date. 

Sheri Nellis, 43, of Albany, was charged Sept. 11 in Saratoga Springs with stalking in the fourth-degree. 

Stephen Budesa, 62, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 12 with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, and forgery – a felony. 

Gerardo Zelayagranados, 29, of Shaftsbury, Vermont, was charged Sept. 12 with misdemeanor DWI, and a license plate violation. 

Lisa Barbone, 30, of Queensbury, was charged Sept. 13 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI and misdemeanor aggravated unlicensed operation, driving without signal detectors and driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street. 

John Guerin, 41, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 13 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle without an inspection certificate. 

Edward Przydatek, 44, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 13 with menacing – a misdemeanor, and criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal mischief – both felonies. 

Jesse Skiff, 39, of Proctor, Vermont, was charged Sept. 14 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, operating a motor vehicle without signal detectors, and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Nicole Rose, 42, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 14 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of marijuana, and a vehicle equipment violation. 

Victoria Palmer, 30, of Schenectady, was charged Sept. 14 in Saratoga Springs with mischief in the third-degree, a felony.   

Jeremy Zepf, 41, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 7 with criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. 

Brian Sullivan, 55, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 8 with petit larceny, a misdemeanor, resisiting arrest, a misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct. 

Jasper Graves, 23, of Clifton Park, was charged Sept. 8 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor assault. 

Sara Barnes, 33, of Wilton, was charged Sept. 9 at the Exit 15 off-ramp in Saratoga Springs with operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, aggravated DWI as a felony, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and a highway driving violation. 

Christopher Chase, 36, of Ballston, was charged Sept. 9 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and three driving violations. 

Brian Sullivan, 55, of Ballston Spa, was charged Sept. 10 in Saratoga Springs with felony burglary, and criminal mischief – a misdemeanor. 

Julius Graves, 23, of Clifton Park, was charged Sept. 10 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor assault.

COURT 

Juan A. Vazquez, 46, of South Glens Falls, pleaded Sept. 8 to murder in the second-degree, after admitting he intentionally caused the death of Kenny J. Shipski in April, according to Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen. The incident occurred in connection with an argument regarding drugs and resulted in Vazquez stabbing the victim multiple times inside a room at the Clearview Motel in the village of South Glens Falls. Sentencing scheduled Nov. 18 when Vazquez is expected to receive a sentence of 20 years to life in prison, Heggen said. 

John A. Butler, 41, of Gansevoort, pleaded Sept. 4 to felony DWI in Northumberland. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 18. 

William M. Biette, 44, of Latham, pleaded Sept. 4 to felony DWI in Malta. Sentencing scheduled Nov. 20.   

James V. Primarolo, 30, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded Aug. 31 to attempted criminal possession of a weapon. Sentencing Nov. 4. 

Neil L. Fullington, 65, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded Sept. 1 to failure to register as a sex offender. Sentencing Nov. 18. 

POLICE

Jennifer Ravert, 36, of South Glens Falls, was charged Sept. 3 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and having a suspended registration. 

Benjamin Cavert, 22, of Waterford, was charged Sept. 4 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, criminal possession of a controlled substance, failing to signal appropriately, and speeding. 

Khalil Hankins, 25, of Albany, was charged Sept. 4 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of marijuana. 

Brendan Benequisto, 37, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 4 with petit larceny. 

Rocco Semeraro, 45, of Albany, was charged Sept. 5 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and operating a vehicle without signal devices/reflectors. 

Brianna Reed, 27, of Mechanicville, was charged Sept. 5 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, and moving from lane unsafely.

Jordan Garafalo, 37, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 5 with second degree harassment, and act in a manner injure child less than 17. 

Glenn LaFountain, 60, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was charged Sept. 5 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, and failure to keep right. 

Jacob Koren, 42, of Schenectady, was charged Sept. 6 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, failure to stop at a stop sign, and moving from lane unsafely

Anthony Sawyer, 31, of Milton, was charged Sept. 6 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a vehicle equipment violation. 

Lucas Scavone, 27, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 2 with two felony counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Gavin Jarosz, 27, of Albany, was charged Sept. 2 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, speeding, and failure to keep to the right. 

Tristan Whitehead, 21, of Schuylerville, was charged Sept. 3 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third-degree, a misdemeanor. 

Randall Alger, 47, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 3 with criminal mischief in the third-degree/ damage to another person’s property, a felony. 

On Sept. 2, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic dispute at a residence on Route 32 North in the Town of Northumberland. As a result of an investigation, Tristan J. Anderson, 22, of Northumberland, was charged with two felonies: criminal mischief, and reckless endangerment, and four misdemeanors: criminal obstruction of breathing, reckless endangerment, unlawful imprisonment and resisting arrest. Anderson is alleged to have been involved in a domestic dispute, damaging property in excess of $1,500. He was arraigned in Halfmoon Court and released on his own recognizance.    

Cited for trespassing on Woodlawn Avenue Sept. 2 in Saratoga Springs: Shawn Johnson, 38; Terrance Rudes, 29; Christine Tougas, 68; Steven Palmer, 62; Jose Madera, 38; Yisel Martinez, 41. Martinez was additionally cited with harassment in the second-degree.   

Joseph Connors, 28, of Buffalo, was charged Aug. 31 in Saratoga Springs with assault in the third-degree, a misdemeanor. 

COURT 

Steven M. Boice, age 30, was sentenced Sept. 1 to 20 years in prison for distributing furanyl fentanyl that caused an overdose death in Saratoga County in February 2017. Boice admitted that he sold controlled substances, including furanyl fentanyl, from his residence in Saratoga Springs. On Feb. 3, 2017, he sold approximately 50 small envelopes, each containing furanyl fentanyl, to “B.L.,” a Saratoga County man who overdosed and died that same day. One week later, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Boice’s residence in downtown Saratoga Springs and found furanyl fentanyl packaged for sale and 2 firearms. Boice admitted to possessing a total of 363 green-colored envelopes containing furanyl fentanyl.

Jayde M. Jasewicz, 44, of Johnstown, was sentenced Aug. 28 to 1 year in jail, after pleading to identity theft in the second-degree, a felony, in Saratoga Springs. 

Kevin Leno, 35, of Schenectady, pleaded Aug. 28 to felony aggravated family offense, in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing Oct. 14. 

POLICE

Jordan Willwerth, 35, of Burnt Hills, was charged Aug. 27 in Saratoga Springs with stalking, a misdemeanor. 

Timothy Smith, 59, of Schenectady, was charged Aug. 28 in Saratoga Springs with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. 

Scott McMahon, 52, of Clifton Park, was charged Aug. 28 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, and license restriction violation. 

Gillian Plummer, 34, of Middeltown, CT, was charged Aug. 28 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, act in manner injure child less than 17, and failure to stop at a stop sign. 

Cathiana Eugene, 37, of Queensbury, was charged Aug. 29 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, and moving from lane unsafely. 

Shannon L. Green, AKA Shannon L. Tracy, 36, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 26 in Malta with burglary in the second-degree, following an investigation by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. 

Natasha Myrie, 31, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 24 with assault in the third-degree, a misdemeanor. 

Tyler Nash, 24, of Mechanicville, was charged Aug. 25 in Saratoga Springs with criminal mischief, and criminal contempt. Both charges are misdemeanors. 

Kitsia Yard, 34, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 26 with second degree burglary. 

John Lavada, 30, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 27 with criminal tampering, and trespassing. 

Greg Avery, 33, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 27 with misdemeanor DWI, and two driving/ vehicle-related violations. 

Jennifer Clayboss, 39, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 27 as a fugitive from justice – out of state crime. 

Matthew Stephens, 19, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 21 with criminal possession of marijuana.

Angel Morales, 26, of Amsterdam, was charged Aug. 22 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and speeding. 

Sherod Owen-Whitted, 24, of Amsterdam, was charged Aug. 23 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a weapon – a felony, and unlawful possession of marijuana. 

Isaiah McKiver, 26, of Amsterdam, was charged Aug. 23 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and speeding. 

Christopher Palmeri-Ramos, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 24 with criminal mischief in the third-degree, a felony. 

Michael Friday, 40, of Gansevoort, was charged Aug. 24 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to keep right. 

COURT

Timothy J. O’Brien, 56, of Schenectady, pleaded Aug. 20 to the charge of making a terroristic threat. The arrest took place in Wilton on Nov. 29, 2019. Sentencing Sept. 30.

Dennis M. Little, 63, of Malta, pleaded Aug. 20 to felony aggravated DWI. The arrest took place in Malta on March 11. Sentencing Oct. 21. 

POLICE

Jordan Guljas, 29, of Gansevoort, was charged Aug. 18 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a weapon, and second degree assault – both felonies, and the misdemeanors: criminal obstruction of breathing, and unlawful imprisonment. 

Scott Moore, 54, of Amsterdam, was charged Aug. 19 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to stop at a stop sign. 

Dennis Lescault, 28, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 19 with criminal trespass, criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Randall Alger, 47, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 20 with arrest fugitive from other state on warrant for extradition. 

Donald Hoffman, 49, of Schuylerville, was charged Aug. 21 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and speeding. 

Louis Guerra, 46, of the Bronx, was charged Aug. 21 in Saratoga Springs with criminal contempt, and aggravated family offense – a felony. 

Daquan R. Johnson, 27, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was charged Aug. 19 in the town of Milton with the felonies criminal mischief in the third-degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth-degree, grand larceny in the fourth-degree;  criminal possession of stolen property misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation. He was also found to have a fully-extraditable warrant from Pennsylvania. Johnson is suspected of stealing items from two vehicles that had their windows smashed, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. He led police on a vehicle pursuit that culminated in him abandoning the vehicle and fleeing into the woods in the area of Phaeton Lane in the Town of Malta.  He was subsequently taken into custody when exiting the woods on US Route 9, police said.

Cited for trespassing Aug. 17-18 at Ballston Ave./ Alee Drive, and Woodlawn Ave.: William Charlson, 69, Robert Davis, 39, Dawn Rivers, 56, Floyd Knowlton, 54, Duane Keefe, 57, Brian Bennett, 48. All are residents of Saratoga Springs. 

Andrew Butz, 45, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 14 with harassment in the second-degree. 

Victoria Mitchell, 25, of Gansevoort, was charged Aug. 15 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, and failure to stop at a stop sign. 

William Dorrough, 32, of Clifton park, was charged Aug. 15 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and three driving/ motor vehicle-related infractions. 

Dylan Whitt, 29, of Broadalbin, was charged Aug. 15 in Saratoga Springs with criminal mischief, a misdemeanor. 

John Koenig, 29, of Burlington, Vermont, was charged Aug. 16 in Saratoga Springs with disorderly conduct. 

Leighann Loftus, 31, of Clifton Park, was charged Aug. 16 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor aggravated DWI, and a motor vehicle equipment violation. 

Tyler Vogele, 18, of Milton, was charged Aug. 16 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor, and assault in the second-degree, as felony.

Emily Roerig, 32, of Ballston Lake, was charged Aug. 17 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.

COURT

David M. Tenace, 53, of Schenectady, pleaded Aug. 14 to attempted burglary in the third-degree, in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing Nov. 28.

Shawn A. Morse, 20, of Glens Falls, was sentenced Aug. 14 to 1 year jail, after pleading to rape in the second-degree, in Moreau. 

POLICE 

Anthony P. Delaurie Jr., 43, Kirsti R. Alden, 28, and Daniel L. Jones, 42, all of Wilton, were charged on Aug. 12 in connection with alleged drug trafficking activity in Saratoga County. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, Delaurie, Alden and Jones are suspected of distributing cocaine throughout the county. A search warrant was executed with the assistance of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Team at two residences in the town of Wilton, where quantities of cocaine and other drugs, packaging materials and scales were located. All three are facing the charges listed below, with Delaurie and Alden additionally charged with conspiracy in the fourth-degree. Charges: criminal sale of a controlled substance (felony); criminal possession of a controlled substance (felony); criminal possession of a controlled substance (misdemeanor). 

Devin Orphan, 20, of Rotterdam, was charged Aug. 10 in Saratoga Springs with one count felony assault and one count misdemeanor assault. 

Anthony Gordon, 26, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 11 with criminal trespass misdemeanor. 

Walter Malasquez-Quispe, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 13 with misdemeanor DWI, and a driving violation.

Dillon Poirier, 19, of Greenfield, was charged Aug. 13 in Saratoga Springs with assault in the third-degree, a misdemeanor. 

Daniel Nowak, 30, of Latham, was charged Aug. 14 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, and speeding.

Jerremy Fontaine, 26, of Cohoes, was charged Aug. 14 in Saratoga Springs with DWI – rising to a felony based on a previous conviction within 10 years of the designated offense. 

Keyona Riebeling, 23, of Albany, was charged Aug. 7 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, and three driving-related violations. 

Angela Nallie, 36, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 7 with misdemeanor assault, criminal contempt – a felony, criminal obstruction of breathing and criminal mischief. 

Shaun Beagle, 37, of Gansevoort, was charged Aug. 8 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and two vehicle violations. 

Marcus Jackson, 31, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 8 with felony criminal contempt, and aggravated family offense – a felony. 

Jeffrey Schulkind, 69, of Clifton Park, was charged Aug. 8 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI. 

Paul Milito, 63, of White Plains, was charged Aug. 8 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI. 

Andrew Wilde, 23, of Milford, Massachusetts, was charged Aug. 8 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, and a vehicle equipment violation. 

Kevin Miner, 33, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 8 with misdemeanor DWI, resisting arrest, speeding, and failure to stop at a stop sign. 

Brian Raymond, 50, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 9 with disorderly conduct. 

Jennifer Wright, 26, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 9 with resisting arrest, a misdemeanor. 

Benjamin Hernandez-Soto, 30, of Floral Park, FL was charged Aug. 10 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, making an unsafe turn, and motor vehicle registration suspended. 

Michael P. Bousquet, 55, of Ballston Lake, was charged by State police with two counts of possession of a forged instrument first-degree, grand larceny third-degree and criminal possession of stolen property third-degree. All charges are felonies. Bousquet is suspected of using two fraudulent checks to pay for a boat he purchased off the Facebook Marketplace. On Aug. 2, he met the victim in Gloversville to look the boat over and then agreed to purchase the vessel, providing the victim with two endorsed cashier’s checks as payment. The victim discovered the theft after contacting the banks that the checks were drawn on and being informed that the checks were fraudulent. The total amount of the theft was $5,600. The victim contacted State Police and Troopers were able to recover the boat in Ballston Lake. Bousquet was sent to Fulton County Jail without bail, he is due back in court on a later date. Anyone that believes they may have additional information or may be a victim is asked to please contact the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at SP Mayfield 518-661-5006.

Gary J. McClelland, of Round Lake, was charged Aug. 4 with two counts criminal possession of a controlled substance, and one felony count criminal sale of a controlled substance. McClelland is accused of distributing quantities of Crystal Methamphetamine and other drugs throughout Saratoga county. A search warrant was executed and as a result, quantities of numerous drugs, packaging materials and scales were located within the residence, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department. 

Gerald F. Colombe III, 35, of Glens Falls, and Jesus M. Ortiz, 20, of Schenectady, were each charged with felony robbery, in connection with incidents alleged to have occurred Aug. 6. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Colombe and Ortiz are accused of befriending a victim and then displaying what appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol before they demanded the victim’s property, in the area of the Wilton Mall, Target and Home Depot on State Route 50 in the Town of Wilton.  Ortiz was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash or $2,000 bond; Colombe was sent to the correctional facility on no bail, with a NYS Parole hold.

Aaron C. Licis, 36, of Fort Edward, was charged Aug. 9 with felony assault, and criminal mischief – a misdemeanor, after allegedly using a baseball bat to smash windows at a person’s residence on Northern Pines Road in the town of Wilton, and subsequently throwing the bat and striking a second person in the leg which caused physical injury. 

Thomas Casey, 53, of Norwich, Connecticut, was charged Aug. 4 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI and failing to use designated driving lane. 

John Lavada, 30, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 4 with menacing, disorderly conduct, trespassing, and willful violation of health laws. 

Brian Raymond, 50, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 4 with trespassing and disorderly conduct. 

James Altamirano, 39, of Ballston Spa was charged in Saratoga Springs Aug. 4 with petit larceny and criminal trespass.

Barkim Tomer, 25, of Milton, was charged Aug. 5 in Saratoga Springs with two felony counts and two misdemeanor counts criminal possession of a controlled substance, and two felony counts criminal sale. 

Chad Lang, 46, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 5 with criminal trespass. 

Bradley Haskell, 31, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Aug. 6 with one misdemeanor and one felony count criminal possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession marijuana. 

Tosha Harrington, 31, of Saratoga, was charged Aug. 6 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

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.