Thursday, April 26, 2012
Press Release - People v Jones
FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: APRIL 26, 2012
RE: PRESS RELEASE – DISTRICT ATTORNEY D. HOLLEY CARNRIGHT ANNOUNCES: TOWN OF ULSTER MAN CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND FORCIBLE TOUCHING
Richard Jones, 60, of 80 Esopus Avenue, Town of Ulster, was convicted Monday, April 23, 2012, following a jury trial conducted before Hon. Susan Kesick of the Town of Ulster Court. The jury, which consisted of two men and four women, found Jones guilty of both charges given to them for their consideration, Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree and Forcible Touching.
The offenses are alleged to have occurred at the defendant’s home in November of 2005. Jones touched the vagina of an eleven year old child and forced her to touch his penis. Jones was arrested on May 25, 2011, by members of the Ulster County Family Violence Unit following an investigation into the allegations.
Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27, 2012. He faces up to a year in jail. Jones will be required to register under the New York State Sexual Offender Registration Act for at least twenty years. The defendant was represented by James Tyner, Esq. of the Law Office of Mark Sacco located in Schenectady.
The case was prosecuted by the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Bureau Chief Katherine R. VanLoan.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Press Release - Proms/Graduations
FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
ULSTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
DATE: April 16, 2012
SUBJECT: PRESS RELEASE-PROMS/GRADUATION
Holley Carnright, District Attorney of Ulster County, and the Police Chief’s Association of Ulster County issued today the following public service announcement:
We are fast approaching that time of year when students in our county will be taking part in proms and graduations. Although it is justifiably a time of joy and celebration, it is equally one for caution and restraint.
Alcohol is by far the most widely used drug among our youth and is directly associated with risk-taking behavior and other disinhibiting effects that increase the chance of unsafe conduct on their part. Unfortunately, in recent years, our county, along with much of the rest of the nation, has experienced its tragic results.
Under certain circumstances, allowing property to be used in a manner where underage drinking is taking place may well constitute a crime. Section 260.20 of the Penal Law of the State of New York authorizes the prosecution of any individual who gives or sells or causes to be given or sold any alcoholic beverage to a person less than 21 years old. A violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000.00 fine, or both. There is a similar section in the Alcohol Beverage Control Law of the State of New York, also a misdemeanor.
In addition, on February 19, 2008, the County of Ulster passed ALocal Law Number 2 of 2008,@ which, in pertinent part, provides that Ano person having control of any premises shall allow an open house party to take place at said residence if such person knows or has reason to know that any alcoholic beverage or drug is being unlawfully possessed, served to or consumed by a minor at said residence.@ It defines Aopen house party@ as Aa social gathering at a residence or other private property with minors present.@ A violation of this law is punishable by a fine not exceeding $250.00 or imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the Social Host Liability Act of the State of New York imposes civil liability upon any individual who knowingly serves or permits alcohol to be served to a minor if that minor causes injury to another as a result of his or her intoxication.
We are pleased that a number of school districts in Ulster County have taken measures to prevent drinking by students at school-related functions and to deter the consumption of alcoholic beverages by individuals less than 21 years old. The administration, faculty, and students of such districts are to be commended for their creative initiatives to discourage alcohol and drug use by students.
And so we ask that if you permit the use of your home for a prom, graduation, or other school-related event, you monitor the situation carefully to insure that all minors in attendance conduct themselves in a proper, responsible, and legal manner. In addition, I ask that if your child is contemplating using a limousine service to transport him or her to an event, you remind the owner/operator of such service of their responsibility in insuring compliance with the laws governing underage drinking.
As a result of the efforts of the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, the Law Enforcement Agencies of our county, the Ulster County Underage Drinking Prevention Team, and the STOP DWI Task Force, the dangers presented by underage drinking have been identified and continue to be addressed. Any assistance you can render in that regard will be greatly appreciated by all of us, and more importantly, may save the life of one or more of our children.
Ulster County District Attorney:ulstercountyny.gov/da
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: APRIL 11, 2012
RE: PRESS RELEASE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY D. HOLLEY CARNRIGHT ANNOUNCES: KINGSTON MAN SENTENCED TO FIFTEEN YEARS FOR AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF THREE YEAR OLD CHILD
Brian Long, 30, of 36 Oak Street, Kingston, was sentenced Wednesday, April 11, 2012, before Ulster County Court Judge, Hon. Donald A. Williams, to fifteen years to be served in state prison followed by five years post release supervision. Long will be required to register under the New York State Sexual Offender Registration Act for the remainder of his life. Additionally, a full “Stay Away” Order of Protection will remain in effect until April 11, 2035.
The defendant was indicted by the Ulster County Grand Jury in December of 2011, following his November 8, 2011 arrest by the Ulster County Family Violence Unit. The defendant pled guilty on February 15, 2012, to the sexually violent felony offense of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree. At that time he admitted inserting his finger into the vagina, rectum or anus of a child who was less than eleven years old and in doing so caused physical injury.
The three year old victim was treated at Kingston Hospital for bleeding from her vaginal area and later transported to Albany Medical Center where she was found to have injury inside both her vagina and anal cavity. Upon confirmation that the injuries could not have been caused by illness or accident, the case was turned over to the Ulster County Family Violence Unit for further investigation, which led to defendant’s arrest. Following defendant’s arrest the Department of Social Services placed the child into foster care.
The case was prosecuted by the Ulster County Special Victims Bureau Chief Katherine R. Van Loan. The defendant is represented by Russell Schindler, Esq. of the Ulster County Public Defender’s Office.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Press Release - George Feist Sentence
FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: APRIL 4, 2012
RE: PRESS RELEASE PEOPLE V GEORGE FEIST SENTENCE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY D. HOLLEY CARNRIGHT ANNOUNCES: WALLKILL MAN SENTENCED TO TWENTY FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEX ACTS WITH CHILD
George Feist, 56, of 52 Glenwood Drive, Wallkill, was sentenced Wednesday, April 4, 2012, in Ulster County Court before Hon. Donald A. Williams to twenty five years in prison plus five years of post release supervision. Feist will be required to register under the New York State Sexual Offender Registration Act for the remainder of his life. Additionally, an Order of Protection will remain in effect until April 4, 2037 preventing the defendant from having any contact with the victim.
The defendant entered a plea on January 20, 2012, to the class “B” violent felony offense of Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree. Feist admitted that between November 15, 2005 and November 14, 2007, he engaged in a course of conduct which included oral or anal sexual conduct with a child who was less than thirteen years old. All sexual acts comprising the course of conduct occurred in Wallkill. The defendant was arrested on November 17, 2011 following an investigation conducted by the Ulster County Family Violence Unit.
This sentence is a significant victory in a series of difficult and emotional cases of child sexual abuse handled by my office in recent months. There are many difficulties unique to crimes against children especially when, as in this case, the defendant is known to the victim. I am committed to holding these offenders accountable who target this particularly vulnerable population. I applaud the victim for the strength and courage required both to disclose the abuse and to then endure the process involved in a criminal prosecution. It is the special legal and practical considerations in both sexual abuse and domestic violence cases, as well as the increasing volume in both of these types of offenses, that led me to create a Special Victims Unit within the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney.
The case was prosecuted by Bureau Chief Sr. ADA Katherine R. Van Loan. The defendant is represented by Jonathan Sennet, Esq. of the Ulster County Public Defender’s Office.
DATE: APRIL 4, 2012
RE: PRESS RELEASE PEOPLE V GEORGE FEIST SENTENCE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY D. HOLLEY CARNRIGHT ANNOUNCES: WALLKILL MAN SENTENCED TO TWENTY FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEX ACTS WITH CHILD
George Feist, 56, of 52 Glenwood Drive, Wallkill, was sentenced Wednesday, April 4, 2012, in Ulster County Court before Hon. Donald A. Williams to twenty five years in prison plus five years of post release supervision. Feist will be required to register under the New York State Sexual Offender Registration Act for the remainder of his life. Additionally, an Order of Protection will remain in effect until April 4, 2037 preventing the defendant from having any contact with the victim.
The defendant entered a plea on January 20, 2012, to the class “B” violent felony offense of Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree. Feist admitted that between November 15, 2005 and November 14, 2007, he engaged in a course of conduct which included oral or anal sexual conduct with a child who was less than thirteen years old. All sexual acts comprising the course of conduct occurred in Wallkill. The defendant was arrested on November 17, 2011 following an investigation conducted by the Ulster County Family Violence Unit.
This sentence is a significant victory in a series of difficult and emotional cases of child sexual abuse handled by my office in recent months. There are many difficulties unique to crimes against children especially when, as in this case, the defendant is known to the victim. I am committed to holding these offenders accountable who target this particularly vulnerable population. I applaud the victim for the strength and courage required both to disclose the abuse and to then endure the process involved in a criminal prosecution. It is the special legal and practical considerations in both sexual abuse and domestic violence cases, as well as the increasing volume in both of these types of offenses, that led me to create a Special Victims Unit within the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney.
The case was prosecuted by Bureau Chief Sr. ADA Katherine R. Van Loan. The defendant is represented by Jonathan Sennet, Esq. of the Ulster County Public Defender’s Office.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Press Release - Jason Dixon Sentencing
FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: APRIL 3, 2012
RE: PRESS RELEASE – PEOPLE V JASON DIXON SENTENCING
Jason Dixon, of Kingston New York, was sentenced today to 2-4 years State Prison for Criminal Contempt 1st, for violating an order of protection by threatening his ex-girlfriend.
On 5/29/11 the defendant was arrested for a domestic violence altercation for strangling his girlfriend with a phone cord, hitting her in the face with a glass vase, punching her in the stomach, and spitting on her. The defendant was arraigned in Kingston City Court on Assault and Obstruction of Breathing charges but was released after an order of protection was issued. The order of protection specifically forbid the defendant from having any contact with the victim. However, the defendant left the court and immediately returned to the victim’s residence stating “I came back to finish you off”.
At sentencing the defendant argued to Judge Williams that he was not at fault, that the real “criminal” (the victim) was still out on the street. Ulster County Domestic Violence Prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Culmone, advised the court that in addition to this conviction defendant had two other criminal contempt convictions, in 2001 and 2002, in Columbia County for violating orders of protection. In one of those charges, the defendant grabbed his victim by the throat obstructing her breathing and called her a whore.
The defendant’s sentencing was the maximum term allowed by law for Contempt in the First Degree as a second felony offender.
DATE: APRIL 3, 2012
RE: PRESS RELEASE – PEOPLE V JASON DIXON SENTENCING
Jason Dixon, of Kingston New York, was sentenced today to 2-4 years State Prison for Criminal Contempt 1st, for violating an order of protection by threatening his ex-girlfriend.
On 5/29/11 the defendant was arrested for a domestic violence altercation for strangling his girlfriend with a phone cord, hitting her in the face with a glass vase, punching her in the stomach, and spitting on her. The defendant was arraigned in Kingston City Court on Assault and Obstruction of Breathing charges but was released after an order of protection was issued. The order of protection specifically forbid the defendant from having any contact with the victim. However, the defendant left the court and immediately returned to the victim’s residence stating “I came back to finish you off”.
At sentencing the defendant argued to Judge Williams that he was not at fault, that the real “criminal” (the victim) was still out on the street. Ulster County Domestic Violence Prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Culmone, advised the court that in addition to this conviction defendant had two other criminal contempt convictions, in 2001 and 2002, in Columbia County for violating orders of protection. In one of those charges, the defendant grabbed his victim by the throat obstructing her breathing and called her a whore.
The defendant’s sentencing was the maximum term allowed by law for Contempt in the First Degree as a second felony offender.
Press Release - Operation Clean Sweep Letter
FROM: Holley Carnright
DATE: April 3, 2012
RE: Operation Clean Sweep
Greetings:
From time to time my office is engaged in matters of particular significance to the people we represent. The undercover operation coined “Clean Sweep” is one such occasion.
For the past eight months my office has been the spearhead of a joint task force made up of law enforcement personnel from the NYS Police, the Kingston Police Department, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, Ulster County Department of Corrections, and the URGENT Task Force, with substantial assistance from other agencies, notably the Town of Plattekill directed at breaking up gang criminal activity in and around the City of Kingston. Saturday morning at approximately 4:00 AM one hundred seventy law enforcement personnel converged to carry out the arrests of over fifty individuals indicted for various narcotics and weapons felonies as a result of this investigation. In total, over 100 individuals were charged, over 12 ounces of cocaine and 2 guns were taken off the street, and $12,000.00 and 5 vehicles were seized as a result of this investigation. Eighty six felony indictments have been filed.
At first blush this operation appears to be a narcotics investigation. In fact, the goal of Operation Clean Sweep was to investigate illegal gang activity in Ulster County. Of those indicted are 32 Bloods, 6 Bloods associates, 5 members of the Black Out Gang and 3 Crips. An investigation of this magnitude is unprecedented in Ulster County. My office now faces the arduous task of bringing these individuals to justice, which task we welcome.
Too often, the local press highlights what they perceive to be shortcomings of the individuals in Ulster County government who serve our citizens. Operation Clean Sweep is an opportunity for the citizens of Ulster County to be proud of the men and women in law enforcement who serve them. There are few situations in law enforcement more dangerous than undercover drug investigations involving gang activity. The work done in Clean Sweep is noteworthy, not only for its unprecedented size and success, but for the fact that during the entire process, from investigation through arrest, not one person, defendant, civilian or law enforcement personnel, was injured.
In addition to the recognition that the men and women in law enforcement and the men and women in my office have earned, I believe you, as a representative of our local government, should also be praised. The simple fact is that as criminal enterprises become more organized and prosecutions become more complicated, the investigative needs for successful prosecution become greater. In the years that I have been the Ulster County District Attorney I have had many conversation with County Executive Michael Hein as well as with many members of the Ulster County Legislature explaining that, despite these very, very difficult budgetary times, for me to improve law enforcement efforts in Ulster County I will need additional support. In my judgment, both County Executive Hein and our Ulster County Legislature have consistently shown an acute understanding of the challenges that I face and have consistently assisted my office. For this, I thank you.
PS: After much resistance I have finally agreed to start a facebook page. As time allows I will post information there about Clean Sweep and other matters which might interest you. You may find me at facebook.com/ulster county district attorney holley carnright
Ulster County District Attorney:ulstercountyny.gov/da
DATE: April 3, 2012
RE: Operation Clean Sweep
Greetings:
From time to time my office is engaged in matters of particular significance to the people we represent. The undercover operation coined “Clean Sweep” is one such occasion.
For the past eight months my office has been the spearhead of a joint task force made up of law enforcement personnel from the NYS Police, the Kingston Police Department, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, Ulster County Department of Corrections, and the URGENT Task Force, with substantial assistance from other agencies, notably the Town of Plattekill directed at breaking up gang criminal activity in and around the City of Kingston. Saturday morning at approximately 4:00 AM one hundred seventy law enforcement personnel converged to carry out the arrests of over fifty individuals indicted for various narcotics and weapons felonies as a result of this investigation. In total, over 100 individuals were charged, over 12 ounces of cocaine and 2 guns were taken off the street, and $12,000.00 and 5 vehicles were seized as a result of this investigation. Eighty six felony indictments have been filed.
At first blush this operation appears to be a narcotics investigation. In fact, the goal of Operation Clean Sweep was to investigate illegal gang activity in Ulster County. Of those indicted are 32 Bloods, 6 Bloods associates, 5 members of the Black Out Gang and 3 Crips. An investigation of this magnitude is unprecedented in Ulster County. My office now faces the arduous task of bringing these individuals to justice, which task we welcome.
Too often, the local press highlights what they perceive to be shortcomings of the individuals in Ulster County government who serve our citizens. Operation Clean Sweep is an opportunity for the citizens of Ulster County to be proud of the men and women in law enforcement who serve them. There are few situations in law enforcement more dangerous than undercover drug investigations involving gang activity. The work done in Clean Sweep is noteworthy, not only for its unprecedented size and success, but for the fact that during the entire process, from investigation through arrest, not one person, defendant, civilian or law enforcement personnel, was injured.
In addition to the recognition that the men and women in law enforcement and the men and women in my office have earned, I believe you, as a representative of our local government, should also be praised. The simple fact is that as criminal enterprises become more organized and prosecutions become more complicated, the investigative needs for successful prosecution become greater. In the years that I have been the Ulster County District Attorney I have had many conversation with County Executive Michael Hein as well as with many members of the Ulster County Legislature explaining that, despite these very, very difficult budgetary times, for me to improve law enforcement efforts in Ulster County I will need additional support. In my judgment, both County Executive Hein and our Ulster County Legislature have consistently shown an acute understanding of the challenges that I face and have consistently assisted my office. For this, I thank you.
PS: After much resistance I have finally agreed to start a facebook page. As time allows I will post information there about Clean Sweep and other matters which might interest you. You may find me at facebook.com/ulster county district attorney holley carnright
Ulster County District Attorney:ulstercountyny.gov/da
Press Release - Driveway Repair Scams
FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: APRIL 3, 2012
RE: PRESS RELEASE – CAUTION: DRIVEWAY REPAIR SCAMS
Spring has sprung. The Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs advises consumers to be alert for driveway repair scammers. The office cautions homeowners to be wary of businesses who solicit door-to-door; be wary of pressure to have the work done immediately, and of contractors who ask to be paid in cash. Get a written estimate/contract beforehand and always ask for and then check references. Make certain the paperwork has the name, address and telephone number of the business; compare estimates; and always note license plate numbers and vehicle descriptions. Be smart. Stay safe. For additional information, contact Consumer Affairs at 340-3260.
DATE: APRIL 3, 2012
RE: PRESS RELEASE – CAUTION: DRIVEWAY REPAIR SCAMS
Spring has sprung. The Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs advises consumers to be alert for driveway repair scammers. The office cautions homeowners to be wary of businesses who solicit door-to-door; be wary of pressure to have the work done immediately, and of contractors who ask to be paid in cash. Get a written estimate/contract beforehand and always ask for and then check references. Make certain the paperwork has the name, address and telephone number of the business; compare estimates; and always note license plate numbers and vehicle descriptions. Be smart. Stay safe. For additional information, contact Consumer Affairs at 340-3260.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Press Release - Operation Clean Sweep
TO: MEDIA
FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: APRIL 2, 2012
RE: PRESS RELEASE – OPERATION CLEAN SWEEP
Saturday morning, March 31, 2012, at approximately 5:00 AM 170 law enforcement personnel deployed to execute the second phase of the joint task force investigation known as Clean Sweep.
Your law enforcement community has long recognized the threat of the migration of gang criminality into Ulster County and we have been aggressively fighting this scourge.
The genesis of this operation, Clean Sweep, has its roots in the arrest and prosecution of members of the Bloods subset Sex, Money, Murder regarding the gangland killing of a government witness here in Kingston 2 years ago. Toward the end of that investigation, Detective Negron of the Kingston Police Department, brought to my attention intelligence that other Blood members were organizing to fill the void left by the removal of the Sex, Money, Murder Blood subset from Kingston. Armed with this information I arranged a meeting of the key players in the fight against gangs here in Ulster County; NYSP Major Wayne Olson of CNET, Kingston Police Chief Egidio Tinti, Ulster County Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum, Undersheriff Frank Faluotico, officer in charge of the URGENT Task Force, as well as various other veterans of our undercover and anti-gang investigations.
Although we had excellent intelligence from these various groups, we did not have an easy vehicle in which to share that intelligence. Nor did any single agency have the resources necessary to carry out such an extensive investigation. Therefore, as a team, we decided to create a task force coined Clean Sweep and we decided that the most effective way to combat this threat was to take away it’s lifeline, the street narcotics trade.
Using the combined resources of this group we began an undercover investigation unparalleled in Ulster County’s history. Since August of last year we have been working on this intensive investigation. To maintain the secrecy needed to insure the safety of the officers involved, my office empanelled a special Grand Jury which has been meeting twice a week for 3 months to hear these cases.
The specially empanelled Grand Jury has handed down 86 felony indictments against individuals for narcotic sales in and around the City of Kingston.
Undercover operations, especially those of this nature, are dangerous. The early morning deployment was executed with military precision. By 6:30 AM all but a handful of those indicted were in custody with no further incident. I am thankful that no-one was injured and that most of the defendants are now in custody.
Although at first blush this may appear to be a narcotics investigation, in fact the origin and focus of this investigation has been gang activity in Ulster County. Of those arrested are 32 members of the Bloods gang, 6 Bloods associates, 5 members of the Black Out Gang, and 3 Crips.
FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: APRIL 2, 2012
RE: PRESS RELEASE – OPERATION CLEAN SWEEP
Saturday morning, March 31, 2012, at approximately 5:00 AM 170 law enforcement personnel deployed to execute the second phase of the joint task force investigation known as Clean Sweep.
Your law enforcement community has long recognized the threat of the migration of gang criminality into Ulster County and we have been aggressively fighting this scourge.
The genesis of this operation, Clean Sweep, has its roots in the arrest and prosecution of members of the Bloods subset Sex, Money, Murder regarding the gangland killing of a government witness here in Kingston 2 years ago. Toward the end of that investigation, Detective Negron of the Kingston Police Department, brought to my attention intelligence that other Blood members were organizing to fill the void left by the removal of the Sex, Money, Murder Blood subset from Kingston. Armed with this information I arranged a meeting of the key players in the fight against gangs here in Ulster County; NYSP Major Wayne Olson of CNET, Kingston Police Chief Egidio Tinti, Ulster County Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum, Undersheriff Frank Faluotico, officer in charge of the URGENT Task Force, as well as various other veterans of our undercover and anti-gang investigations.
Although we had excellent intelligence from these various groups, we did not have an easy vehicle in which to share that intelligence. Nor did any single agency have the resources necessary to carry out such an extensive investigation. Therefore, as a team, we decided to create a task force coined Clean Sweep and we decided that the most effective way to combat this threat was to take away it’s lifeline, the street narcotics trade.
Using the combined resources of this group we began an undercover investigation unparalleled in Ulster County’s history. Since August of last year we have been working on this intensive investigation. To maintain the secrecy needed to insure the safety of the officers involved, my office empanelled a special Grand Jury which has been meeting twice a week for 3 months to hear these cases.
The specially empanelled Grand Jury has handed down 86 felony indictments against individuals for narcotic sales in and around the City of Kingston.
Undercover operations, especially those of this nature, are dangerous. The early morning deployment was executed with military precision. By 6:30 AM all but a handful of those indicted were in custody with no further incident. I am thankful that no-one was injured and that most of the defendants are now in custody.
Although at first blush this may appear to be a narcotics investigation, in fact the origin and focus of this investigation has been gang activity in Ulster County. Of those arrested are 32 members of the Bloods gang, 6 Bloods associates, 5 members of the Black Out Gang, and 3 Crips.
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