A report in the New York Daily News says the NYPD suspects 22-year-old Jared Eng, a former SUNY New Paltz student, of killing 65-year-old Paula Chin, his mother, with a knife inside their Tribeca apartment after a fight over money, then dumping her body at the family’s second residence in Morristown, NJ during the early morning hours of January 31.

Also arrested were 21-year-old Caitlyn O’Rourke, a current SUNY New Paltz student and Eng’s girlfriend, as well as 18-year-old Jennifer Lopez. All three were charged with tampering with evidence and concealing a human corpse.

In a followup article, the Daily News reports that a criminal complaint alleges Chin confessed to the crime in a speakerphone call, and includes details concerning the assistance provided by Eng’s alleged accomplices and further communications between them.

As of Thursday, Eng hasn’t been charged with murder, but additional charges are expected when the autopsy is complete.

New York City police have charged a SUNY New Paltz student, her boyfriend and another woman with dumping the body of the boyfriend’s mother after her death last week. Officers believe that Jared Eng, a 22-year-old who attended SUNY New Paltz up until last semester, killed his mother and then enlisted his girlfriend Caitlin O’Rourke — currently a New Paltz student — and another woman to help conceal the body.

According to published reports, authorities posit that Eng’s mother, Paula Chin, planned on tossing her son out of her home, and during a fight, he allegedly slashed her throat in that Tribeca apartment on January 31. Surveillance footage shows a “duffel bag-like container” being put in the trunk of Chin’s vehicle, and in it the 65-year-old victim was transported to Morristown, NJ, where she had owned a second home. Together with co-defendant Jennifer Lopez, Eng and O’Rourke allegedly dumped the corpse in a dumpster. Blood and Chin’s clothing were found in the trunk, while investigators discovered her body and rubber gloves bloodied by the deed in the garbage and blood stains on the garage floor in Morristown.

Melissa Kaczmarek, communications director at the college, confirmed that Eng first attended the university in 2015 but didn’t enroll for this semester, and that O’Rourke was enrolled this semester and has been a student since 2016.

All three were arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court, as that’s where the initial crime is believed to have taken place, with concealing a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence. O’Rourke and Lopez have yet to post bail — $25,000 and 100,000, respectively — while Eng wasn’t even given the option as the investigation into his suspected matricide continues.

There was a rustling among the SRO crowd at the West Hurley Fire Company’s headquarters when recently-elected chairman Justus Rice announced that the February 11 Board of Fire Commissioners meeting was being canceled until Wednesday, February 13 because of a lack of quorum.

The crowd had been drawn by last Friday’s news that former West Hurley Fire Chief David G. Gutierrez and his son David N. Gutierrez had been charged with felony assault, and that the former chief along with former fire company chairman Michael “Bucky” Van Valkenburgh had been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges for using fire company equipment unlawfully, to the tune of over $55,000. They’ve all been released on their own recognizance. Guiterrez and his son are on leave of absences from the Fire District. 

Questions about ongoing investigations from the state comptroller’s office and county district attorney’s office had been raised at commissioners’ meetings ever since the comptroller’s office came and removed files from the commissioners and chief’s offices last summer. None had been answered, and the investigations only tersely acknowledged, before the February 8 arrests.

State police at Ulster have said that Gutierrez, 52, along with his son David N. Gutierrez, 24, were arrested and charged with second-degree assault. The second charge against Gutierrez, who is currently captain of the West Hurley Fire District, and VanValkenburgh, 44, alleged that the former chief abused his authority by using the fire district water tanker, another fire district vehicle, gasoline and the company EZ-Pass while traveling statewide for his wife’s business, Woodstock Landscaping and Excavating. This was all allegedly done with the knowledge of the commissioners chairman, Van Valkenburgh, who also worked for Woodstock Landscaping and Excavating and, as a commissioner, was barred from receiving any payment from the district.

The charges allege that Gutierrez’s actions, which included use of the tanker for filling pools, ponds, and other uses, added up to over $30,000 in costs, while Van Valkenburgh additionally laundered payments of $20,755 through a relative who had a cleaning contract with the fire district.

“Mr. Gutierrez and Mr. VanValkenburgh allegedly violated their duty and used resources meant to protect their community to fund their personal business and lifestyle,” state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a statement. “Thanks to the joint work of my office with District Attorney Carnright, they will now be will be held accountable.”

Carnright gave a nod to the comptroller. “I would like to acknowledge the professionalism of Comptroller DiNapoli’s team. It is largely through their efforts that we are able to bring this matter into the light and proceed with a prosecution,” District Attorney Holley Carnright added.

Hurley Supervisor John Perry defended the integrity of the district as a whole. “First, I want to thank all the constituents in the West Hurley Fire District who spoke up and brought this matter to my attention. I would like to also thank the State Comptroller and Ulster County DA Carnright’s office for their time and due diligence dealing with this matter. Lastly, I want to be clear that the West Hurley Fire District should not and will not be tarnished by these few individuals. The men and women who volunteer as our first responders are some of the best around. We need to look at this as an opportunity to form a renewed bond with the residents and the Fire District and this will only better West Hurley as a whole.”

No quorum February 11

In the fire hall Monday evening, attendees acknowledged that Van Valkenburgh, the board’s deputy chairman since a reorganization meeting last month, had been at the fire hall until 15 minutes before the monthly meeting’s 6:30 p.m. start time. They and Chairman Rice noted that Van Valkenburgh had left because “the stress was too much” according to Rice.  

Others anecdotally noted that the Guiterrez’s arrests allegedly came following an incident at the Woodstock Stewarts store at the corner of Route 28 and Zena Road, where an incident was reported at 10:34 a.m. on Thursday, January 17 after the father and son allegedly “beat the living daylights out of a man” who had brought up the comptrollers’ investigation. The two men had been in court before their arrests. Sources at the meeting said that the arrests were made after police reviewed surveillance camera footage from Stewarts.

Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Rice said that he didn’t want to push Van Valkenburgh to stay for the meeting because, “I didn’t want anything to happen to him.” When asked about why it took so long for the commissioners to do anything about their former chairman, or about their former chief and his son, he said that he has been acting under the advice of the company’s counsel, attorney David Garwood of the Syracuse-based Pinsky Law Group, which specializes in volunteer fire law and EMS.

Rice answered similar questions regarding the possibility of other commissioners participating in a meeting by phone by noting that such instances would have to be advertised ahead-of-time, and involve a phone connection that showed the person’s face live, as well. He said of the other two missing commissioners, Frank Faluotico Jr. and Roger Blatter, that the former had been upstate participating in intensive trainings over recent months, and that the latter went to Florida each winter.

The company’s new chief, Frank Fauble, headed to a private office immediately following the announcement that Monday’s meeting was canceled. When he emerged after discussions with newly-elected commissioner Cheri Scully a half hour later, he was surrounded by a number of vocal West Hurley residents who had organized themselves into an ad hoc group with Facebook page. Why, they asked, had Van Valkenburgh not been asked to step down, or the Guiterrezes dismissed from the company?

Fauble said that he was advised to ask the Gutierrezes to send letters requesting leaves of absence, with wording provided by Dave Garwood, the company’s attorney. He said he had delivered the letters for the men to sign before they had been charged, based on what they had heard about the Stewarts’ altercation, and what the company’s lawyers had been told. 

“We hadn’t known of the fire district charges from the Comptrollers office when we sent the letters,” Fauble added.

He added that the letters had been returned to him by the Gutierrezes, and passed on to the board of commissioners before the meeting. 

“We’ve sent a letter back to them saying we’re in receipt of their requests for leaves of absence,” Fauble added, “and that those leaves will be in effect until their legal matters are over.

New rules

Further questions arose about the West Hurley Fire District’s current push to get all members to sign on to a new set of rules and regulations provided by Pinsky Law Group in recent months, with a requested signing date for all by March 15. Fauble said that approximately 30 people had signed to date but “the document is 2116 pages long and complicated.”

The new legal documents were requested last spring after the commissioners were advised that their old set of by-laws, augmented and added to over the years, were obsolete and a liability. The board approved the new document at a meeting in January.

Chief Fauble and Chairman Rice spoke about how fire company members used to borrow lawnmowers and other equipment, never knowing such things were illegal. They talked about other companies throughout the state that have run into problems.

Others at the meeting, meanwhile, asked how deep the current investigations might end up running. Hadn’t the Guiterrez assault gone to a local court and been dismissed? Why hadn’t the commissioners looked into things after the seizing of materials in July?

Fauble and Rice said it was time everyone focused on some of the good elements at the West Hurley Fire District. They’d answered 60 calls successfully since January 1. There was a Big Truck Day set for the community on April 27.

“I’m left with one big worry,” countered taxpayer and company critic Bob Bloomer. “We have young people joining the company and we’ve had a raging bull running amok. Who’s to say nothing else happens?”

“It’s not going to happen,” answered Fauble as the two burley men crossed arms and faced each other. “Take my word on it, Bob.”

Bruce and Connor Chargois

Bruce and Conner Chargois, a father and son duo who were both given third-degree criminal possession of a weapon charges in late February of last year after the son posted threats to Saugerties High School online, have been sentenced to six months and two years respectively in state prison. Both will be supervised for five years after their release.

“Based on my experience with [Judge Don Williams], Conner will do almost the entire two years,” said Assistant District Attorney Mike Kavanagh of the sentence.

Kavanagh said during both hearings, proceedings needed to be moved to the court’s larger ceremonial building to accommodate the Saugerties locals who came to show their support for the family.

“We told Judge Williams we were looking to send Conner to prison, but we didn’t give him any recommendation in terms of time — we said we would support whatever he thought was appropriate,” explained Kavanagh. “I thought [the sentences] were appropriate. Because of the outpouring of community support, it was an incredibly difficult decision to make. I think [Judge Williams] considered the impact that the crime had — this preyed upon our worst fears as parents. We were fortunate that police uncovered the weapons when they did.”

Police found the arsenal of weapons, including an AR-15 an Uzi, that had been manufactured in the family home, as well as ammunition and two silencers, after Conner glorified the Columbine shooters in an Instagram post just a week after the deadly Parkland, Fla. school shooting. A student reported the posting to a teacher, who brought the matter to school’s administration and the police. After his son was questioned by police, Bruce, 58 transported the weaponry to the Greco Amusement Center, his workplace, and hid them inside of pinball machines. 

“[This situation] shows the partnership between the District Attorney’s Office, the community and law enforcement,” said Saugerties Police Chief Joe Sinagra. “When we all work together we obtain resolution and justice in cases for the benefit of our community.”

The Chargoises were arrested on Feb. 27 of last year, and both were out on bail until their plea hearings in December.

According to a press release from the District Attorney’s Office, both sentencing hearings were “emotional.” Conner apologized to the court, his family, his peers and the Saugerties community at his Feb. 8 sentencing for what he called “selfishness.” Bruce also apologized to the community at his Feb. 15 sentencing, and to the students and alumni at Saugerties High, where he and his entire family had been schooled.

On January 29, an unidentified female used a Massena woman’s personal information to fraudulently open a Verizon Wireless account at the Cellular Sales Store in the Poughkeepsie Galleria Mall. The suspect also obtained approximately $2,500 in Apple products.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect or any information related to this case, is asked to contact Investigator Brian Coakley, Troop B – SP Massena, at (315) 769-8406 or (518) 873-2750.

The Saugerties Police Department came in the black for the sixth year in a row, according to their annual report for 2018, and purchased a range of new equipment that will be used this year.

“We’re seven years post consolidation and we’re operating on less money than it was predicted we’d be operating on,” said Police Chief Joe Sinagra, who explained that although the department went over their 2018 budgetary allocation, their fundraising efforts ultimately brought them out of the red. “As I’ve always preached, we’re not in the business to make money … that money all goes back to the general fund to help the town maintain and keep a fund balance.”

Sinagra was quick to mention that the Saugerties Police Department receives no revenue from tickets issued for parking and moving violations. Officers slipped 1,594 tickets under windshield wipers this year and issued 1,984 on the road.

Eighty felonies, four of which took place in December, were recorded, an increase in comparison to 2017’s 52. Total arrests, however, are down from 2017’s 539 to 515 in 2018. There were five assaults in 2018, 35 burglaries, 36 larcenies and two robberies. At 24, there were twice as many sex offenses in 2018 compared to 2017. Since 2013, Sinagra said, the department has noted an 89 percent increase in situations that involve mental illness, and transported 153 people experienced “mental health crises” that involved local police this year.

In total, police spent $2,708,630.28 and raised $171,249.98; the town budgeted $2,568,939.00 for the department this year.

The department also obtained a pocket-sized drone, a tool that Sinagra said could help expedite emergency responder’s reaction in certain trying situations.

“When you get someone [who has] barricaded [themselves into a room], they do it and end up killing themselves. Those [types of] events take hours and hour and cost taxpayer’s money,” said Sinagra. “This can help officers come to a faster resolution — this drone can be flown indoors.”

The drone model, called the “Mantis Q” and weighing in at just one pound, can capture sound as well as video. It is outfitted with both voice control and face recognition software, can be manned via a smartphone app and has a flight time of about a half-hour. The Mantis Q will join the department’s other drone, the “Typhoon H” — this more traditional drone has been used in recent years to help officers manage garlic festival crowds, is able to detect heat signatures and can fly itself with an autopilot function.

The department also purchased eight additional body-worn cameras this year, adding up to 35 in total.

In 2019, detectives from the department will attend crime-scene photography and crime-scene technician classes hosted by the county. Sgt. Jeremy Rushkowski and his K-9, Max, will attend IED training paid for with a $15,000 grant; the department will also purchase a personal radiation detector with the grant, which can identify radioactive materials that police dogs can’t detect.

On February 27,  the New York State Police at Catskill charged Trevor H. Keller, 52, of Saugerties, with one count of Possessing an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child, a class E Felony.

The arrest was the result of a two-week investigation conducted by the State Police at Catskill, with the State Police Computer Crimes Unit.  At 11 a.m. February 27, a County Court search warrant was executed by State Police at 159 Jefferson Heights suite A202 Catskill, Greene Pediatric Dentistry, where Keller worked as a dentist, in furtherance of this investigation.

Trevor Keller was arraigned before Town of Catskill Justice William R. Jacobs and remanded to the Greene County Jail in lieu of $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 secure bond. The investigation is still ongoing at this time. The State Police were assisted by the Greene County District Attorney’s Office during the investigation.

Johnnie Lancaster of the Town of Ulster, 25, was convicted by a jury of first-degree burglary and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon on Feb. 27, according to the county District Attorney’s Office.

On Feb. 23, 2018, authorities said, a Saugerties family awoke to find a crossbow bolt embedded in their living room wall, a broken window and a bloodied axe. A screen on a screened-in porch had been torn, the door to the porch was unlocked and blood was found near a broken basement window. According to police, no one was harmed and nothing had been stolen.

Five days later, a crossbow, bolts and a backpack were found in the backyard of their Stage Road property, authorities said. Inside the backpack, police recovered a SIM card, which they traced back to Lancaster. He was sent to Ulster County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. All of the blood evidence at the scene matched Lancaster’s DNA profile, the District Attorney’s Office said.

The jury deliberated for “approximately 19 minutes” before coming to their verdict, the DA’s Office said. Lancaster could serve up to 25 years in state prison; a sentencing date was not immediately available. Lancaster was represented by Mikael Cohn of the Ulster County Public Defender’s Office.

Greg Marinelli

On Thursday, February, 28, the New York State Police arrested Gregg Marinelli, 38, of Plattekill, New York, on numerous weapons charges.

Marinelli, who is a sergeant with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police, is accused of illegally manufacturing dozens of handguns and assault rifles, including at least one fully automatic assault rifle, and selling them to individuals who are legally barred from possessing such weapons.

It is alleged that Marinelli assembled the guns in his Plattekill home and sold them to others, including members of outlaw motorcycle groups and those with criminal convictions, sometimes delivering the illegal weapons using his marked police car. According to State Police, many of the weapons sold by Marinelli were “ghost” guns, manufactured without serial numbers, or in some instances defaced weapons which had their serial numbers removed. “Ghost” guns are difficult to trace and are therefore often sought after by those planning to use the guns illegally, said police.

Members of the New York State Police, aided by the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, executed a search warrant at Marinelli’s home in Plattekill and recovered gun parts, tools used to manufacture weapons, and numerous firearms. State Police have also recovered 13 handguns and assault rifles from others which were allegedly manufactured and sold by Marinelli.

The investigation into Marinelli arose out of a recent drug trafficking case, dubbed “Operation Bread, White and Blues,” which concentrated on two separate conspiracies, one involving cocaine trafficking by members and associates of self-professed “outlaw” motorcycle clubs, and a second involving the sale of narcotic pills. During that investigation,  police say they learned that Marinelli alerted a suspect that he was a target. Marinelli was not charged in that case.

Marinelli is charged with Criminal Sale of a Firearm 2^nd  Degree; Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2^nd Degree, (as an accessory); Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3^rd Degree (as an accessory in the possession a weapon he defaced); Manufacture/Disposition of a Weapon (for manufacturing numerous assault rifles); Conspiracy 4^th Degree, (for conspiring to sell a loaded and defaced .40 caliber pistol); and Hindering Prosecution 2^nd Degree (for alerting a suspect that he was the target of a police investigation).

Marinelli is currently being held in the Orange County Jail in lieu of bail, which was set by the Town of Deerpark Court in the amount of $200,000 cash or $600,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on March 7, 2019.

All those who bought firearms from Gregg Marinelli are encouraged to call the New York State Police at (845) 344-5300 to surrender the weapons. Those who voluntarily surrender the weapons in this manner will not be prosecuted for their possession of the weapons, although they could be prosecuted for any crimes committed with the weapons.

Dominick Volino

New York State Police yesterday arrested Dominick Volino, 53, of Poughkeepsie, for Making a Terroristic Threat, a class D felony.

In January of 2019 the State Police was forwarded a letter from Volino threatening to blow up a New York State government building. With the assistance of Amtrak Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Broward County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, and the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Volino was arrested in the Fort Lauderdale airport attempting to fly to Honduras.

Volino was arraigned before the town of Pleasant Valley Court, and remanded by the Honorable Judge Sears to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 secure bond. Volino is next scheduled to appear before the town of Poughkeepsie Court Friday, March 8 at 3 p.m.

On Monday, March 4, the New York State Police from the Poughkeepsie barracks arrested Michael J. Farrell, 25, of Accord, and Julia M. Forbes, 20, of Rhinebeck, for Burglary in the 1st degree, a class B felony, and Conspiracy in the 4th degree, a class E felony. Farrell was additionally arrested for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd degree, a class D felony.

On Sunday, March 3, troopers responded to a residence on Route 44 in the town of Pleasant Valley for a burglary in progress. Victims at the scene stated a male forced his way into their residence and used a knife to threaten physical violence prior to fleeing. Investigators believe Forbes and Farrell conspired to break into the victim’s residence and then utilize a knife to menace the victims.

Farrell and Forbes were arraigned in town of Pleasant Valley Court. Forbes was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 secure bond. Farrell was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 secure bond.  Both subjects are scheduled to reappear before the Court on March 7 at 5:30 p.m.

New York State Police, in conjunction with the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, today arrested Michael R. Varble, 48, of Kingston, for four counts of Grand Larceny in the 3rd degree, a class D felony and three counts of Grand Larceny in the 4th degree, a class E felony.

In May of 2017 the State Police received a complaint of Michael Varble accepting retainer fees and other payments for legal services not provided. Investigation by the State Police and the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office found that for a period of time, greater than a year, Varble took payment in excess of $28,000 dollars from multiple victims promising legal services, many of which were not provided, and the fees charged were never returned.

Varble was arraigned before the city of Poughkeepsie Court, and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 secure bond.  Varble is next scheduled to appear before the Court on March 20, 2019, 9:00 a.m.

Jared McClain

On Wednesday, March 6, State Police arrested Jared A. McLain, 32, of Wappinger, for four counts of Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child, a class E felony, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4^th degree, a class A misdemeanor.

Investigation by the Wappinger Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Troop K Computer Crimes Unit led to a search warrant granted by the Dutchess County Supreme Court. The search warrant resulted in the seizure of child pornography.

Illegal metal knuckles, and a baton were also found at the residence.

McLain was arraigned before the town of Fishkill Court, and remanded by the Honorable Judge Epstein to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 secure bond. McLain is next scheduled to appear before the village of Fishkill Court on March 11 at 2:00 p.m.

Two angles for the two individuals police are looking for

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) have offered a combined reward of up to $2,500 (up to $1,250 from each) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the burglary of firearms from each federally licensed dealer.

There were two incidents:

• On February 23 at about 1:30 a.m., two unknown individuals forcibly entered Ruger’s Custom Guns Inc., located at 1050 Morton Blvd. in the town of Ulster, and removed a long gun.
• On February 27 at about 5 a.m, two unknown individuals forcibly entered SafeShoot LLC, located at 10 Kieffer Lane in the Town of Ulster, and removed two handguns and ammunition. Surveillance photos from the time of the incident are above. The same individuals may be connected to the burglary of a residence in the city of Kingston on February 22 where additional firearms were stolen.

The Ulster Police Department and Kingston Police Department are working in conjunction with the ATF Albany Field Office on the aforementioned investigations.

How to provide info

Anyone with information about either burglary or the stolen firearms should contact ATF at 188-ATF-GUNS (888-283-4867), the Ulster Police Department at 845-382-1111, the Kingston Police Department at 845-331-1671 or email ATFTips@atf.gov or contact ATF through its website at www.atf.gov/contact/atf/atf-tips. Tips may also be submitted to the ATF through the Reportit® app, available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, or by visiting www.reportit.com. All tips will remain confidential.

On March 11, the New York State Police from the Rhinebeck barracks arrested Kevin M. Werner, 60, of Poughkeepsie, for three counts of Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child, a class E felony.

Investigation by the Rhinebeck Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Troop K Computer Crimes Unit, and the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office determined Werner possessed multiple images containing what he knew or believed to be child pornography.

Werner was arraigned before the town of Milan Court, and remanded by the Honorable Judge Mattson to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 secure bond. Werner is next scheduled to appear before the town of Poughkeepsie Court on March 13 at 2 p.m.

A Saugerties man faces misdemeanor charges after he allegedly drove onto the race course during Kingston’s annual Shamrock Run on Sunday, March 10 and resisted police efforts to remove him from his vehicle.

Kingston police say the incident occurred around 1:15 p.m. while the Shamrock Run was underway and Broadway was closed to vehicular traffic. According to police, David Roy Cardell, 75, drove his 2013 Chevy pickup truck from the parking lot of the Burger King at the corner of East Chester Street onto Broadway, nearly striking several runners. When police approached Cardell’s vehicle, police said, he ignored commands to turn off the engine and get out of the truck. An officer reached through the driver’s side window to grab the keys from the ignition, police said, but couldn’t remove Cardell from the truck because he had locked the doors. Officers eventually broke the passenger-side window to enter the truck and remove Cardell, police said.

Cardell was charged with misdemeanor counts of reckless driving, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration. He was released with tickets and ordered to appear in Kingston City Court on Monday, March 18.

Jolene Roy

In early January 2019 State Police at Middletown were contacted by officials in the Orange County town of Crawford regarding irregularities with the books and accounts within the Town Clerk’s office. After an extensive investigation, investigators allege that approximately $20,000 had been stolen by Town Clerk Jolene Roy, 44, of Pine Bush. Roy has held the elected position since 2014.

Roy was charged with third-degree grand larceny and first-degree tampering with public records, both felonies. She was additionally charged with second-degree falsifying business records, a misdemeanor.  She was arraigned in the Town of Wallkill Court and released on her own recognizance.  State Police were assisted by the New York State Comptroller’s Office and the Town of Crawford Police Dept. 

This image provided by law enforcement shows the two suspects in the robberies.

Two thieves who police believe targeted a pair of gun stores in the Town of Ulster last month are now in the crosshairs of a federal investigation.

On March 8, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the National Shooting Sports Foundation announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the unidentified individuals.

“We want to get these individuals in pocket as soon as possible,” said ATF spokesman Matthew Fleming this week. “Because we don’t want to see innocent people get hurt.”

The first burglary occurred on Feb. 23 when, authorities said, two individuals — their features partially obscured by hooded sweatshirts — forced their way into Ruger’s Custom Guns at 1050 Morton Boulevard around 1:30 a.m. The thieves made off with a long gun, police said.

Police believe the same pair struck again on Feb. 27 when they broke into Safeshoot, an indoor shooting range and gun shop at 10 Kieffer Lane. In that incident, the thieves made off with two handguns and ammunition. Cops are investigating whether the same duo are behind a Feb. 22 burglary in Kingston that netted additional firearms.

There are no federal or state laws mandating security measures at licensed gun stores. But Town of Ulster Police Chief Kyle Berardi said that both of the targeted retailers had security cameras and other security measures in place. In both cases, Berardi said, the thieves simply forced their way into the business, grabbed whatever they could easily access and fled.

“Both owners have been fully cooperative,” said Berardi of the investigation. “I don’t think there’s anything they could have done to avoid it.”

While thefts of firearms from residences or vehicles are prosecuted at the state level, theft of a firearm from a “Federal Firearms Licensee” is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Most Federal Firearms Licensees are gun dealers who undergo rigorous background checks and must comply with strict record-keeping and other guidelines to maintain their license. The license allows for interstate sale and transportation of guns and, in some cases, allows holders to keep firearms like machine guns which are prohibited to the general public.

Thefts from gun stores, along with legal purchases by straw buyers working on behalf of criminal organizations and more routine thefts from homes, are the primary ways guns make it onto the lucrative black market. ATF sources, however, say gun store heists for trafficking purposes are more common in the South while burglaries in New York are more often the work of drug addicts looking to make fast money, or people seeking a gun to use in a crime. In 2017, there were five reported thefts from federal firearms license holders, accounting for 102 stolen guns. By contrast, Texas reported 57 FFL burglaries accounting for 769 stolen guns in the same year. Nationwide, 7,488 guns were lost to burglaries from FFL’s in 2016.

Anyone with information about either burglary or the stolen firearms should contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-GUNS (888-283-4867), the Ulster Police Department at (845) 382-1111, the Kingston Police Department at (845)331-1671 or email ATFTips@atf.gov or contact ATF through its website at www.atf.gov/contact/atf/atf-tips. Tips may also be submitted to the ATF through the Reportit app, available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, or by visiting www.reportit.com. All tips will remain confidential.

According to a press release sent out from the New York State Comptroller’s office the afternoon of March 20, former West Hurley fire department chief David Gutierrez and current commissioner Michael “Bucky” VanValkenburgh, a former chairman for the West Hurley Fire District, each pleaded guilty in Hurley Town Court, Tuesday night, March 19, to official misconduct following their earlier arrests for using fire district resources to support Woodstock Landscaping & Excavating, a business belonging to Gutierrez’ wife.  

Gutierrez pleaded guilty Tuesday evening to official misconduct and petit larceny, and received a sentence of a two year conditional discharge, $10,000 fine and an agreement to leave the fire department for at least five years.

VanValkenburgh received the same sentence regarding discharge, fine, and agreement to leave the department, but only pleaded to official misconduct. Hurley Town Supervisor John Perry said on Wednesday, March 20, that according to VanValkenburgh’s sentencing agreement, and the West Hurley Fire District’s governing policies and procedures, he would have to be removed from the board of commissioners until his five year ban is completed.

It was uncertain, as of press time, whether VanValkenburgh was going to resign his position on the five member West Hurley Fire District board of commissioners.

When first arrested on February 8 the two men were initially charged with abusing their authority and costing the district over $30,000 since 2012. Specifically, Gutierrez was accused of using the fire district water tanker to fill ponds, mix concrete and water plants and used a fire district vehicle to travel for the business. VanValkenburgh, who also worked for Woodstock Landscaping & Excavating, was initially accused of defrauding the district of $20,755 by laundering payments through a relative, who had a cleaning contract with the fire district.

Members of the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations report the arrest of 25 individuals on March 20.

According to police, the investigation involved members of a drug-trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of crack cocaine, as well as heroin laced with fentanyl, over a two-year period, in and around the village of Ellenville.

The following defendants were arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances. They are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of New York:

• Antonio Naveo aka “Gratto” aka “Green Eyes”, 38, of Ellenville
• Margaret Vandyke, 56, of Ellenville
• Iqwan Mandiville aka “Qwan”, 26, of Ellenville
• Randy Mandiville aka“B-Murda”, 30 of Ellenville
• Jennifer McCombs aka “Jennifer Marks”, 49, of Ellenville
• Edwin Jorge, 46, of Ellenville.
• Luis Curet, 34, of Ellenville

The following defendants were arrested and charged with state charges being prosecuted by the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office:

(Note: The identities of suspects assigned the names John and Jane Doe will be revealed when their indictments are unsealed, according to the county DA’s office as quoted in local media reports.)

• Philip Ordway, 47, of Ellenville – The felonies of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance (two counts), third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (two counts) and the misdemeanor of second-degree criminal use of a public benefit card (two counts). He was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash or $20,000 secured bond.
• Jane Doe, 23, of Ellenville – The felonies of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance (two counts) and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (two counts). She was previously indicted by an Ulster County Grand Jury and was remanded to the Ulster County Jail without bail.
• John Doe, 38, of Ellenville – The felonies of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance (one count) and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (one count). He was previously indicted by an Ulster County Grand Jury and was remanded to the Ulster County Jail without bail.
• John Doe, 39, of Ellenville – The felonies of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance (one count) and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (one count). He was previously indicted by an Ulster County Grand Jury and was remanded to the Ulster County Jail without bail.
• Jane Doe, 28, of Ellenville – The felonies of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance (four counts) and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (four counts). She was previously indicted by an Ulster County Grand Jury and was remanded to the Ulster County Jail without bail.
• John Doe, 19, of Ellenville – The felonies of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance(two counts) and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (two counts). He was previously indicted by an Ulster County Grand Jury and was remanded to the Ulster County Jail without bail.
• Naja Mandiville, 27, of Ellenville – The felonies of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance (one count), third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (one count) and third-degree welfare fraud (7 counts). She posted $1,000 cash bail at arraignment and was released.
• Jade Shorten, 20, of Wurtsboro – The felonies of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance (one count) and Criminal Facilitation in the 2nd Degree (one count). She was released on her own recognizance.
• Charles Jones, 31, of Monticello – The felonies of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance (one count) and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree (one count). He was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash or $20,000 secured bond.
• Aqwasha Mandiville, 25, of Ellenville – The felonies of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance (two counts) and third-degree welfare fraud (four counts). She was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $5000 cash or $10,000 secured bond.
• Melissa Quick, 39, of Ellenville – The misdemeanor of second-degree criminal use of a public benefit card (one count). She was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $500 cash or $1,000 secured bond.
• Paula Sciancalepore- The misdemeanor of second-degree criminal use of a public benefit card (two counts). She was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash or $5,000 secured bond.
• Shadell Zackery, 36, of Ellenville – The felony of third-degree welfare fraud (three counts). She was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash or $5,000 secured bond.
• Fatima Mandiville, 32, of Ellenville- The felony of third-degree welfare fraud (two counts). She was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash or $10,000 secured bond.
• Melida Naveo, 62, of Ellenville- The felony of third-degree welfare fraud (one count). She posted $1,000 cash bail at arraignment and was released.
• Tyriq Whitehead, 20, of Ellenville – The felony of third-degree welfare fraud (one count). He was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash or $10,000 secured bond.
• Robin Shaver, 57, of Ellenville – The misdemeanor of second-degree criminal use of a public benefit card (five counts). She was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $500 cash or $1,000 secured bond.
• Melinda Baker, 51, of Ellenville – The misdemeanor second-degree criminal use of a public benefit card (one count). She was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $500 cash or $1,000 secured bond.

The following agencies assisted with the investigation: U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of New York, Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Ellenville Police Department, Ulster County District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Office of Disability and Temporary Assistance.