Press Release - Wood Pellets Tax

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: AUGUST 30, 2018

RE: PRESS RELEASE - SALES AND USE TAX TREATMENT OF WOOD PELLETS AND OTHER PRODUCTS USED FOR HOME HEATING PURPOSES

According to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs, Section 1105-A of the New York State Tax Law provides that certain residential energy sources and services are not subject to sales tax and use tax. Under that section, the following tangible personal property and services used for residential purposes constitute residential energy sources and services not subject to state sales and use tax.

·       Natural gas;

·       Propane sold in containers of 100 pounds or more;

·       Electricity;

·       Steam;

·       Gas, electric and steam services;

·       Fuel oil (except diesel motor fuel);

·       Coal;

·       Wood (including wood pellets, for heating purposes only).

Counties and cities (localities) that impose a local sales tax may choose to either tax or exempt residential energy sources and services. Ulster County imposes no such tax. Consumer Affairs can be reached at 340-3260.

Press Release - Ricardo Almenteros Sentencing

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: AUGUST 29, 2018

RE: PRESS RELEASE – RICARDO ALMENTEROS SENTENCING

On August 28, 2018 Ricardo Almenteros of Rochester, New York, was sentenced by Ulster County Court Judge Donald A. Williams to 12 years in state prison with 5 years post release supervision on his conviction of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the first degree.

The events which led to defendant’s indictment occurred on December 3rd, 2017, at 2:40 am, when the New York State Police conducted a vehicle and traffic stop of defendant’s vehicle following a traffic infraction on I87 North in the Town of Plattekill. 

A search under the hood of the suspect vehicle revealed 2.8 pounds of cocaine in brick form found hidden in the air intake compartment of the engine. The brick had an identifying mark of “OSO” (bear in spanish)—which is believed to be an identifier of the Sinaloa Cartel in Culiacan Mexico.

The Defendant has a 2011 Federal Felony conviction for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine. 

The case was prosecuted by Sr. Assistant District Attorney Clifford Owens and assisted by Assistant District Attorney Jarrid Blades. The defendant was represented by Public Defender Russell Schindler.

Press Release - Willie Rodriguez conviction

FROM:   HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE:   AUGUST 27, 2018

SUBJECT: PRESS RELEASE – WILLIE RODRIGUEZ CONVICTION

On Friday August 24, 2018, an Ulster County jury found Willie Rodriguez, age 31, of Kingston, NY, guilty of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the second degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree.

The case arose on December 22^nd, 2017, when members of the NYSP and the Ulster County URGENT Task Force, received information about the location of two stolen handguns.  The agencies, working together, conducted an undercover sting operation at 79 Livingston Street in the Village of Saugerties to recover the weapons. That operation resulted in the arrest of 3 people; Skylar Eichert; Willie Rodriguez and Gina Julian.  

Skylar Eichert, who was charged with selling the weapons, pled guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the second degree on April 23, 2018. Gina Julian was charged with various heroin related charges and pled guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree on May 16, 2018. Rodriguez was charged with having purchased one of the weapons along with possessing 120 bags of heroin with the intent to sell and was convicted after a jury trial. 

Sentencing for Rodriguez is scheduled for October 25, 2018 in front of Judge Donald A. Williams. Skylar Eichert was previously sentenced to 10 years in state prison. Gina Julian’s sentence is pending. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Timothy Lawson with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Jarrid Blades. The defendant was represented by attorney Edward Bruno.  

Press Release - Heather Taylor

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: AUGUST 24, 2018

RE: PRESS RELEASE – HEATHER TAYLOR

On August 24, 2018, Heather Taylor, age 42 of Kerhonkson, NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree and 3 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st degree.

An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, along with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney and the Office of the New York State Medicaid Inspector General, found that Ms. Taylor did not disclose her true household composition and income to the Department of Social Services from February 2016 to May 2018.  Ms. Taylor filed several SNAP applications with the Dept. of Social Services during that period of time, not disclosing the income, which resulted in her receiving $7,211.00 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to. 

Ms. Taylor was processed and issued appearance tickets for Ulster Town Court.

Press Release - Danielle Lambert

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: AUGUST 16, 2018

RE: PRESS RELEASE – DANIELLE LAMBERT

On August 16, 2018, Danielle Lambert, age 28 of Kingston, NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with Felony Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st (2 counts) and Misdemeanor Welfare Fraud 5th degree.

An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, along with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, found that Ms. Lambert filed both Temporary Assistance and SNAP applications between 5/18 and 7/18 with the Department of Social Services, indicating that she had 2 children in her household, when in fact she does not have any children in her household. Thus, resulting in Ms. Lambert receiving $668.67 in Temporary Assistance and SNAP benefits she would not have received, had she provided truthful information to D.S.S.

Ms. Lambert was processed and issued appearance tickets to appear in Ulster Town Court.