Press Release - Eduardo Balbuena

FROM:   HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

        ULSTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

DATE:   MARCH 29, 2013

SUBJECT: PRESS RELEASE-EDUARDO BALBUENA

On March 27, 2013, Eduardo Balbuena, of New Paltz, was sentenced by Ulster County Court Judge Donald A. Williams to 7 years in state prison plus 5 years post-release supervision after pleading guilty to one count of Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony.

On July 21, 2012, at approximately 5:45 a.m., an elderly woman awoke to find the defendant, wearing a black ski mask and latex gloves, crouched on the foot of her bed.  Upon seeing the woman awaken the defendant attempted to flee from the apartment. The woman ran after the defendant and grabbed his black ski mask and recognized him as the apartment complex’s maintenance man.   The woman’s husband, who suffered from Parkinson’s disease, attempted to assist her during the confrontation, but fell.  The woman and her husband, residents of Florida, had rented an apartment in Southside Terrace Apartments for the summer.  The elderly woman had met the defendant the night before when he assisted her in helping her with her husband, who had fallen.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lisa Bondarenka and the defendant was represented by Osa Igunbor. 

Ulster County District Attorney:ulstercountyny.gov/da

Press Release - Driveway Scams

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: MARCH 28, 2013

RE: PRESS RELEASE – DRIVEWAY REPAIR SCAMS

Spring will soon be here and 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; get a written estimate/contract beforehand and make certain the paperwork has the name, address and telephone number of the business; compare estimates; ask for references from other consumers who have used the same contractor; and always note license plate numbers and vehicle descriptions. For additional information, contact Consumer Affairs at 340-3260.

Press Release - Gerald Babcock

FROM:  HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE:  MARCH 26, 2013

RE:  PRESS RELEASE – PEOPLE V. GERALD BABCOCK

An Ulster County Grand Jury filed an indictment today in Ulster County Court charging Gerald Babcock of Denning, New York with Manslaughter in the First Degree as a result of a domestic violence incident on March 6, 12013. The indictment charges Babcock with intending to cause serious physical injury to a female victim who later died as a result of the injuries inflicted by Babcock.  The Office of the Westchester Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide. Babcock and his victim were involved in a brief relationship prior to the homicide.

The case was investigated by the New York State Police.

Babcock is scheduled to be arraigned in Ulster County Court on March 28^th, 2013.

My office is not releasing any information regarding the cause of death, or motive at this time.

Press Release - Joseph Rodriguez

PRESS RELEASE – PEOPLE V JOSEPH RODRIGUEZ

Joseph Rodriguez, age 44, was arraigned on an Ulster County Grand Jury indictment charging him with Murder in the Second Degree for the bludgeoning death of a 2 year old child in New Paltz on June 20, 2012.

The defendant was arraigned before Ulster County Court Judge Donald Williams.  A plea of not guilty was entered.  The case has been adjourned to April 30^th for motions.  

This case stems from the grizzly discovery of the child’s body at the rear of the home rented by Rodriguez, his wife and two school-aged children on Rt. 32 in New Paltz.

 

Press Release - Patrick Ferguson Conviction

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: MARCH 14, 2013

RE: PRESS RELEASE – PATRICK FERGUSON

Patrick Ferguson, age 26, was convicted of Robbery in the first degree in Ulster County Court after a four day jury trial.

Ferguson was arrested along with Rosie Ramirez on May 21, 2012 by members of the Kingston Police Department after an investigation into a robbery that occurred at 190 Tremper Avenue in the City of Kingston at approximately 8:30 PM on May 20, 2012.  Ferguson, who was living at 190 Tremper Avenue at the time of the offense, was found guilty of forcibly stealing $1500.00 cash from an adult male victim.  It was alleged that Ferguson and Ramirez abducted the man by knifepoint and dragged him into their residence and held him down on a bed before stealing his money.

Ferguson is facing a minimum of five years and a maximum of twenty five years followed by five years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on May 15, 2013, by County Court Judge Donald Williams. Ramirez will be tried at a later date.  The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Gerard Van Loan and Ferguson was represented by Jeffrey Provenzano.

Press Release - People v Cruz

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: MARCH 1, 2013

RE: PRESS RELEASE – PEOPLE V AUDELIS CRUZ

On March 1, 2013, an Ulster County Grand Jury indicted Audelis Cruz (49) on charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Petit Larceny stemming from the murder of Anita Jacobs-Royer at her home in Kingston and the theft of some of her personal property on or about February 1, 2013. Autopsy results indicated the cause of death was strangulation. Ms. Royer’s body was found by Kingston City Police on February 3, 2013. Following the discovery of Ms. Royer’s body Kingston City detectives developed leads that Cruz had fled to New York City.  As a result of the efforts of the Kingston City Police, the New York State Police, and the U.S. Marshal's Service, working on conjunction with our office, Cruz was apprehended in New York City and returned to Kingston to face the charges against him. His arraignment in Ulster County Court is expected to take place next week.