Press Release - Disaster Relief Fraud Alert

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: AUGUST 30, 2017

RE: 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 flooding in Texas 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:

• Not respond to any spam e-mail or click on links contained within those messages;
• 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;
• Be  cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses;
• Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf;
• Do not give personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions.

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

Protest

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: AUGUST 30, 2017

Apparently there was recently a “protest” regarding the arrest of an individual in Kingston. The protest was attended by Public Defender Andrew Kossover, who represents the accused.  It would be a mistake on my part to accept as fact that comments which have been attributed to Mr. Kossover were actually made.  I am reasonably sure that Mr. Kossover would not actually say that a person who violates the law in the presence of a police officer is free to disregard a reasonable inquiry or demands of a police officer who has witnessed criminal behavior.  That, obviously, is not the law.

In the context of his client having engaged in illegal behavior, Mr. Kossover was quoted “We have a right to be left alone. We get to enjoy our privacy, our freedom of movement . . .” Nothing could be further from the truth.

We rely on police officers to keep us safe and to enforce our laws. As the District Attorney I certainly hope that people do not fail to obey the lawful order of a police officer.

I have no comments on the actual case, which is currently pending.  I choose to allow that matter to be litigated in the court system. 

Press Release - Kyle Berardi Promotion to Chief of Police

We congratulate Kyle Berardi on his promotion to Chief of the Town of Ulster Police Department.

Press Release - Computer Cold Call Repair Scam Returns

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: AUGUST 23, 2017

RE: PRESS RELEASE – COMPUTER COLD CALL REPAIR SCAM RETURNS

A telemarketing scam that aims to separate computer users from their financial information has resurfaced, according to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs.

The scam involves a cold call from a person claiming to be from Dell, Microsoft or another large computer company. The person then asks to remotely connect to the victim’s computer, followed by the claim they can fix the problem if a credit card number is provided.

Victims report receiving unsolicited calls from what they believe are foreign call centers. The scam typically involves a scammer cold-calling you and requesting remote access to your computer. If you give the scammer access, they will claim to run a scan, discover a fake virus and then apply high pressure sales tactics to convince you to buy unnecessary anti-virus software or technical services to “fix” your computer.

Consumer Affairs advises the public to never provide credit card or any personal information to an unknown, unverified caller. If you receive a phone out of the blue about your computer’s security status and requesting remote access – hang up – even if the caller mentions a well-known company or product. Consumer Affairs can be reached at 340-3260.

Press Release - Kevin Coyle Sentence

FROM:   HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

        ULSTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

DATE:   AUGUST 23, 2017

SUBJECT: PRESS RELEASE – KEVIN COYLE

On August 22, 2017, Kevin Coyle, of Gardiner, New York, age 34, was sentenced to one to three years in state prison on his conviction to Vehicular Assault in the First Degree.  In addition, his New York State driver’s license was revoked.  

Coyle pled guilty to Vehicular Assault in the First Degree in Ulster County Court, on June 20, 2017 regarding a June 7, 2015 incident.  At approximately 3:30 in the afternoon on that date,  Coyle was driving on Route 44/55 in the town of Gardiner while his ability to drive was impaired by his use of marihuana and oxycodone.  In the vicinity of 2547 Route 44/55 Coyle’s vehicle crossed over the double yellow line and collided head on with the vehicle in the oncoming lane of traffic.  As a result of this collision the driver of the other vehicle, a thirty-six year old Gardiner man, and his twenty-three month old daughter, both suffered serious injuries.  The infant, who was secured in a rear facing car seat at the time of the crash, sustained a skull fracture for which she is still receiving treatment.  An independent eyewitness, who had been behind Coyle’s car for several miles, indicated that Coyle’s car was driving erratically and had crossed the double yellow line multiple times before causing the head on collision. 

The victims spoke at sentencing of how their lives have been impacted by the defendant’s decision to drive while impaired by drugs.  While detailing the hardships that their family has faced as a result of the crash, and outlining the devastating consequences that these types of crimes can have, they also expressed to the defendant that they hope that he gets the help that he needs. 

Assistant District Attorney Lisa Bondarenka is prosecuting the case.  The defendant is represented by Andrew Kossover.

DANNY GRIFFIN PLEADS GUILTY

DANNY GRIFFIN PLEADS GUILTY TO VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER IN THE SECOND DEGREE IN ULSTER COUNTY COURT

Danny H. Griffin, 32, of 230 Creek Side Drive, Shandaken, entered a guilty plea to Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree in Ulster County Court today moments before a pre-trial hearing. Griffin was indicted in January of 2017 based on a collision which occurred on State Route 28 in the Town of Olive on August 25, 2015 at 7:30 AM. Griffin drove his 2001 Toyota Sienna into the oncoming lane crashing head-on with a Subaru Impreza operated by Delores Falkowski, 64, of Woodland Valley. Falkowski was killed as a result of the impact. Falkowski was driving to work.

An extensive investigation ensued by the New York State Police and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation revealed that Griffin was impaired by the use of fentanyl, an opioid which is nearly 100 times stronger than Morphine. Griffin purchased heroin laced with fentanyl in Newburgh in the early morning hours of August 25, 2015, and injected himself with the drug with another person before driving home to Shandaken. Griffin also possessed a small amount of cocaine and heroin in his Toyota Sienna van. Found in the vehicle were two crack pipes, numerous hypodermic needles, and a tourniquet used to assist with drug injection.

During the plea, Griffin admitted being impaired by fentanyl as a result of using heroin laced with fentanyl.  Several experts were hired to assist with the collision investigation and toxicology based on a blood sample obtained from Griffin.

The New York State Legislature has classified Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree as a class D non-violent felony.

Griffin was represented by Russell Schindler and the case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Gerard Van Loan.

Press Release - Earl Edwards Jr. Sentence

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: AUGUST 10, 2017

RE: PRESS RELEASE – EARL EDWARDS JR. SENTENCE

Earl Edwards Jr., age 27, was sentenced in Ulster County Court today to life in prison with a minimum of 22 years on his conviction for the May 26, 2016 murder of Rameen Perry in Saugerties. 

Edwards pled guilty to murdering Mr. Perry with a knife when he broke into his wife’s apartment and found Perry in bed with her.  Edwards fled the jurisdiction following the murder and was located in Maryland and extradited.  He was identified as the assailant by his wife who had barricaded herself behind a closet door and thus survived the incident.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael Kavanagh and Senior Assistant District Attorney Clifford Owens.