Press Release - Disaster Relief

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: OCTOBER 31, 2012

RE: PRESS RELEASE

DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD ALERT

The Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs reminds Internet users who receive appeals to donate money in the aftermath of the recent storm to use caution before responding to those requests. Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for charitable organizations.

Before making a donation of any kind, consumers should:

• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as survivors or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites;
• Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations;
• Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf; you might consider a known local entity such as the United Way (phone number 845-331-4199 or on the web at ulsterunitedway.org);
• Be  cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses;
• Do not give personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions;

   •   Not respond to any spam e-mail or click on links contained within those          messages.

Spam e-mail can be forwarded to spam@uce.gov and then deleted. Consumer Affairs can be reached at 845- 340-3260.

Hurricane Sandy

The county website has a very good update regarding the storm and it's aftermath, (co.ulster.ny.us)

The county will have shelters set up at Trudy Farber Center in Ellenville, SUNY in New Paltz, Midtown Center in Kingston, Bellaire in Shokan, Saugerties Senior Center in Saugerties and the Olivebridge Fire Department.

We expect strong winds throughout the night with gusts up to 60 mph and expect that the river bridges will close.  Stay safe.

Press Release - People v Matthew Taggard

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: OCTOBER 23, 2012

RE:  PRESS RELEASE – PEOPLE V TAGGARD

Last March disturbing allegations concerning the former Chief of Police of the Town of Ulster Police Department, Matthew Taggard, were brought to my attention. 

The allegations were particularly troubling in that it was alleged Taggard engaged in criminal conduct during the course of a program run by the Boy Scouts of America known as the Ulster Police Cadet Program.

It was also brought to my attention that an investigation had been conducted years ago which did not develop sufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution.

Working in conjunction with the New York State Police, our office utilized an undercover informant to attempt to engage Taggard in conversations regarding his alleged past criminal conduct.  Mindful that the prosecution in state court of any criminal activity which took place at that time would be barred by the Statute of Limitations, our focus was to ascertain whether Taggard had committed any crimes more recently that would not be time barred.

Our investigation failed to develop that evidence. However, the investigation did develop information in sufficient detail to charge former Chief Taggard with Official Misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor. Taggard has admitted his guilt of that charge.

This charge of official misconduct, which Taggard admitted, was that Taggard believed that sexual crimes were being committed, in an adjoining jurisdiction, and failed to take any steps to prevent same, or to notify the appropriate authorities, responsibilities clearly part of his obligation as a police officer, particularly one in a supervisory capacity.

Taggard was sentenced by Saugerties Village Judge Robert Rightmyer to pay a $1,000.00 fine, $205.00 crime victim service fee, a $50.00 DNA collection fee, and a one year conditional discharge.

This office has coordinated this investigation with the FBI. Taggard’s plea to official misconduct will not act as a bar to a federal prosecution should the FBI develop information they deem sufficient to support federal charges.

Press Release - People v Shane Dunham

FROM:  HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE:  OCTOBER 17, 2012

RE:  PRESS RELEASE – PEOPLE V. SHANE DUNHAM a/k/a “Breezy”

On October 17, 2012, Shane Dunham a/k/a “Breezy” pleaded guilty in Ulster County Court before the Hon. Donald A. Williams to Assault in the Second Degree.  Dunham was indicted by a grand jury on September 10, 2012 for firing two rounds of birdshot from a shotgun into a crowd from approximately 40 yards away and causing physical injury to a bystander.  The incident occurred on April 17, 2012 at 4:10 a.m. on O’Neil Street in the City of Kingston.  Dunham maintained that he acted in retaliation to threats from a local Kingston street gang that calls themselves the O’Neil Street Boys.  Nobody was seriously injured.

Dunham’s sentencing is scheduled for December 19, 2012.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Kavanagh and the defendant was represented by Assistant Public Defender Maryanne Connelly. 

Domestic Violence Awareness Photo

The District Attorney's Office and Ulster County Law Enforcement show support for domestic violence awareness, October 17, 2012.

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), go purple with us in October to show your support!

 

BREAK THE SILENCE DAY – October 17^th.  In observance of DVAM, we ask the community to wear a purple item of clothing or a purple ribbon throughout the day to help raise awareness.

 

GO PURPLE ONLINE – October 1 – 31.  Go purple online by changing your social media profile pic.  Purple Ribbon icon.  Don’t forget to encourage your family and friends to do the same!  http://swilliamsjd.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/bipartisan-support-for-the-international-violence-against-women-act-i-vawa/dvam-purple-ribbon-731880/

 

CLOTHESLINE PROJECT EXHIBIT.  The clothesline project is an art exhibit created by domestic violence survivors at WashbourneHouse.  Survivors tell their story by using words and/or artwork to decorate a shirt and once finished, they hang their shirt on the “clothesline.”  The Clothesline Project Exhibit will be displayed at the County Office Building – 244 Fair Street, Kingston, NY 12401 during the month.   http://www.clotheslineproject.org/

 

October 28, 2012 attend The Reach Out Film Showcase at 721 Broadway. 

Reach Out Film Showcase celebrates women in the arts and is an opportunity for independent filmmakers to express their creative voice on social awareness issues affecting women, children and abused individuals.  It is a benefit for survivors of domestic abuse.  All proceeds from the event go directly to The Washbourne House in upstate New York.  Admission $15.00.

 

HOW CAN I HELP –

1 in 4 women in America are victims of domestic violence.  Last year in Ulster County 3,329 domestic incident reports were filed.

We need diapers, children and infant clothing, laundry supplies and money.  How about a gift card from Home Depot.

Contact Washbourne House at 331-7080 x 327.  Washbourne House is a United Way Agency and donations are tax deductible.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Washbourne-House/124321594816

 

Press Release - Melvin Ross

FROM:  D. HOLLEY CARNRIGHT, DISTRICT ATTORNEY

DATE: OCT 9th, 2012

RE: PRESS RELEASE – MELVIN ROSS -  PLEA

 Melvin Ross (DOB: 01/30/77), of East 143^rd Street, Bronx, New York and the City of Kingston pled guilty on October 5, 2012, to the crime of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the third Degree, a class B felony.  On December 20^th and December 28^th, the defendant sold cocaine in the presence of an undercover police officer in the City of Kingston.  Ross has an extensive criminal history, dating back to 1995; including, but not limited to, three prior felonious drug convictions.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 11th, 2012.  It is expected he will be sentenced to an eight year state prison term by County Court Judge Donald A. Williams.

Ross was arrested as part of Operation Clean Sweep.

Press Release - People v Moody

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: OCTOBER 4, 2012

RE: PRESS RELEASE PEOPLE V CLAUDE MOODY

Claude Moody, age 53,  of  Ellenville, New York, entered a plea of guilty to Vehicular Manslaughter in the second degree in Ulster County Court before Judge Donald Williams.

The charges stem from a collision on State Route 44/55 in Ulster County on October 4, 2011 at 12:20 PM when Moody drove his Toyota SUV into a backhoe.  Moody’s wife, age 55, a front seat passenger, suffered severe head trauma as a result of the crash and died. His step daughter, a rear seat passenger, was also injured in the crash.

The investigation revealed dry road conditions and no skid marks near the 17,000 pound backhoe which was hit from behind by Moody. A blood test revealed the defendant’s blood alcohol content exceeded the legal limit and that he had therapeutic levels of Ambien, a sleeping medication, at the time of the accident.

The case was investigated by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department with assistance from the District Attorney’s Office.

Vehicular Manslaughter in the second degree is a Class D felony up to 2 1/3 to 7 years in State Prison.  Moody will be sentenced in December.

The case was prosecuted by Sr. Assistant District Attorney Gerard VanLoan.  Moody was represented by Public Defender Andy Kossover.