Press Release - Zachary L. Covert Plea

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2014

RE: PRESS RELEASE - DISTRICT ATTORNEY D. HOLLEY CARNRIGHT ANNOUNCES:  ESOPUS MAN PLED GUILTY AND SENTENCED TO FIFTEEN YEARS FOR COURSE OF SEXUAL CONDUCT AGAINST A CHILD

Zachary L. Covert, 43, of 192 West Stout Avenue, Port Ewen, in the Town of Esopus, pled guilty Friday, September 26, 2014, in Ulster County Court before Honorable Donald A. Williams to the Class “B” violent felony of Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree.

Covert admitted that between January 1, 2011 and October 31, 2013, he engaged in two or more sexual acts, including at least one act of oral sexual conduct, with a child less than thirteen years old.    

The Court imposed a definite sentence of fifteen years to be served in the care and custody of the New York State Department of Corrections to be followed by twenty years of post-release supervision.  The court further issued an Order of Protection in favor of the victim to run until September 26, 2057.  The defendant will be required to register for life under the New York Sex Offender Registration Act. Prior to being sentenced the victim’s mother made compelling arguments to a somber court describing the tragic impact the defendant’s acts had on the victim, who has trusted him.    

The defendant was arrested on March 7, 2014, following an investigation by law enforcement officers assigned to the Ulster County Family and Child Advocacy Center who were also assisted by members of the New York State Police in Kingston.       

District Attorney Carnright noted, “This defendant violated the trust and innocence of this child for years.  The extent of his vile behavior is unimaginable.  The fact that this outcome was achieved without further trauma to this child is significant because this child did not have to relive these hideous events in open court.”

The case is being prosecuted by Special Victims Bureau Chief Katherine R. Van Loan.  The defendant is represented by Alfred Mainetti Esq. of the Mainetti, Mainetti & O’Connor Law Office.

 

Press Release - Driveway Repair Scams

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

RE: PRESS RELEASE

DRIVEWAY REPAIR SCAMS

The Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs cautions homeowners to be wary of paving 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 before hiring; and always note license plate numbers and vehicle descriptions. For additional information, contact the Bureau at 340-3260.

Press Release - Consignment Scam

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

RE:  PRESS RELEASE – CONSIGNMENT SCAM

CONSIGNMENT CAVEAT: TIPS TO AVOID MISUNDERSTANDINGS, SCAMS AND PROPERTY LOSS

A dealer offers to take one or more items on consignment and remit payment when they’re sold.  The risk is not knowing how much the item sold for or if it sold at all. The Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs suggests before entering into a consignment agreement, a consignor should make sure they have a signed contract and receipt, plus photographs of items left with the consignee, serial numbers (if available) and copies of an appraisal (for high-end items). The agreement/contract should state: the business’ responsibility in case of damages to the goods or theft; the consignment shop’s fees or their percentage of the sale price; who pays for shipping and promotional responsibilities (where applicable); and a provision that the item returns to the owner in the event of the shop’s closure or bankruptcy.  Consumer Affairs can be reached at 340-3260.

Press Release - Mark Conklin

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: SEPTEMBER 22, 2014

RE:  PEOPLE V MARK CONKLIN

ULSTER COUNTY JURY CONVICTS WALDEN MAN FOR ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION

An Ulster County trial jury on Friday convicted a Village of Walden man for entering the home of his ex-girlfriend, assaulting her, and trying to abduct her. Mark Conklin, age 35, was indicted earlier this year for the felonies of burglary in the second degree, attempted kidnapping in the second degree, unauthorized use of a vehicle in the first degree, and the misdemeanors of assault in the third degree and criminal obstruction of breathing. Following a five-day trial and about 4 hours of deliberations, the jury returned a verdict convicting Mr. Conklin of all the felonies and assault in the third degree while acquitting him of the misdemeanor charge of criminal obstruction of breathing. 

Mark Conklin was arrested on February 27, 2014, when he attacked his ex-girlfriend inside her home where she resides with her children. She had an order of protection against him at the time. He entered the home in the morning while the ex-girlfriend was at work; he went through her personal belongings and hid in the bathroom until she returned, at which time he emerged from her bathroom and proceeded to assault her. Using an 8-inch knife from the house, Conklin threatened to kill the woman in her home. When she begged and said she did not want her kids to come home and find her body, he forced her at knife-point to leave the house; he placed her in the passenger seat of her car but she escaped as Conklin was entering the driver seat of her car. She ran across the street to her neighbors and called 911. 

Conklin drove off in her car and was later observed by a Village of Walden police officer. He led the police on a chase through the village at speeds exceeding 95 miles per hour. He then returned to the ex-girlfriend’s home where he was instantly taken into custody by officers from the Town of Shawangunk Police Department.

The maximum sentence for each of the most serious felonies (burglary in the second degree and attempted kidnapping in the second degree) is 15 years in prison. Conklin was remanded to the Ulster County Jail where he will remain until he is sentenced by Ulster County Court Judge Donald Williams on November 18, 2014.

Press Release - Kenneth Stahli

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: SEPTEMBER 19,2014

RE: KENNETH STAHLI

Kenneth Stahli, age 27, of Marlboro, New York was indicted by an Ulster County Grand Jury for the crime of Murder in the second degree - Depraved Indifference Murder of a Child. On August 5, 2014 Ulster County 911 received a frantic phone call from a home in Milton of a two year old child found non-responsive by the child’s aunt.  An investigation by law enforcement spear-headed by the New York State Police immediately classified the death as a homicide.  Stahli was arrested and charged the following day, August 6^th.

The defendant will be scheduled for arraignment in Ulster County Court next week.  He is currently being held without bail.