Thursday, August 29, 2019

Press Release - Welfare Fraud Arrests




FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: AUGUST 29, 2019
RE: PRESS RELEASE – WELFARE FRAUD ARRESTS

TONI DEJESUS: On August 26, 2019, Toni DeJesus, age 50 of Kingston, NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree, Grand Larceny 3rd degree and 9 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 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, revealed that between August 2013 and July 2019, Ms. DeJesus filed multiple documents with the Department of Social Services containing information that was not truthful and altered, in regard to her actual income from employment and household composition.  Due to her undisclosed income, she received $28,099.00 in SNAP benefits that she was not entitled to.
Ms. DeJesus was processed and released with an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.

JENNIFER COLE and PATRICK BOUSSON JR.: On August 22, 2019, Jennifer Cole age 35 and Patrick Bousson Jr. age 38, of Lake Katrine, NY, were arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and were each charged with the misdemeanors of Welfare Fraud 5th degree and Criminal Use of a Public Benefit Card 2nd 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, revealed that between May 2019 and August 2019,  Ms. Cole and Mr. Bousson Jr. had been selling their SNAP benefits for cash, in order to purchase narcotics.  SNAP benefits are provided by the Department of Social Services to purchase food for personal consumption.  

Ms. Cole and Mr. Bousson Jr. were processed and released with appearance tickets for Ulster Town Court.

REBECCA MARTINEZ: On August 23, 2019, Rebeca Martinez, age 54 of New Paltz, NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree and 13 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st degree.
An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, discovered that between April 2015 and July 2019,  Ms. Martinez had filed a number of falsified documents and applications/recertifications which did not disclose her complete income to the Department of Social Services, in order to receive SNAP benefits. As a result of the undisclosed income and falsified documents, Ms. Martinez received $10,944.00 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to.
Ms. Martinez was processed and released with an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.


NATALIE SKIPP: On August 21, 2019, Natalie Skipp, age 39 of Saugerties, NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud 4th degree, 2 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st degree and misdemeanor Making a Punishable False Written Statement.
An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, along with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, revealed that Ms. Skipp had filed for and received Temporary Assistance benefits to house herself and children in the amount of $1,840.62 from the Department of Social Services during the month of July 2019, when in fact, her children have been in the care and custody of relatives in another state. 
Ms. Skipp was processed and released with an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.



JASMINE CALLWOOD: On August 19, 2019, Jasmine Callwood, age 30 of Kingston, NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with felony Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st degree and misdemeanor Welfare Fraud 5th degree.
An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, discovered that Ms. Callwood had filed an application for Temporary Assistance with the Department of Social Services in July 2019 and did not disclose that the gainfully employed father of her children, was residing with her in her household in Kingston, but advised Social Services that he was residing in the Bronx.
Ms. Callwood was processed and released with an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.

SAMANTHA IRIZARRY: On August 13, 2019, Samantha Irizarry, age 28 of Ellenville, NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with 2 counts of felony Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st degree and the misdemeanors of Welfare Fraud 5th degree, Making a Punishable False Written Statement.
An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, along with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, discovered that during July 2019, Ms. Irizarry had falsified official documents to extend her stay at a local motel that the Department of Social Services contracts with to provide housing.  Ms. Irizarry, then provided a false written deposition to the Department of Social Services denying her involvement in the incident.
Ms. Irizarry was processed and released with an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.



MAGDALENE CORBIN: On August 1, 2019, Magdalene Corbin, age 30 of Hurley, N.Y., was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the felony of Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st degree and misdemeanor Welfare Fraud 5th degree.
An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, revealed that Ms. Corbin had filed an application with the Department of Social Service for Temporary Assistance, not disclosing that her husband was residing with her in her household, but had listed him as an absent parent. Disclosure of her husband in the household would have required her to do mandatory searches for jobs or TA case closing. Ms. Corbin was processed and released with an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.

ALAN HOGAN: On August 8, 2019,  Alan Hogan, age 60 of Highland, N.Y., was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree and 2 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, discovered that Mr. Hogan had filed applications with the Department of Social Services between February 2018 and July 2019 and did not disclose that he was gainfully employed at a local auto repair shop, resulting in Mr. Hogan receiving $1,054.00 in SNAP benefits, $2,448.00 in Medicaid and $2,841.00 in Home Energy Assistance benefits that he was not entitled to.
Mr. Hogan was processed and issued an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.



DINA TAYLOR: On July 24, 2019, Dina Taylor, age 41 of Gardiner,  NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree, 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 N.Y.S. Office of the Medicaid Inspector General and the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, revealed that between  April 2014 and January 2017, Ms. Taylor had filed multiple applications for Medicaid and SNAP benefits with the Department of Social Services, not disclosing her income. Due to the undisclosed income, Ms. Taylor received $3,817.00 in SNAP benefits and $13,501.29 in Medicaid benefits she was not entitled to.
Ms. Taylor was processed and issued an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.

YVETTE VEGA: On July 22, 2019, Yvette Vega, age 36 of Middletown NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree, 4 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st degree and Grand Larceny 3rd 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, discovered that Ms. Vega had filed multiple applications for SNAP benefits between May 2016 and January 2019 with the Department of Social Services, not disclosing owning/operating a business, as well as the income she received from that business, located in Orange County, NY.  Due to the undisclosed income, Ms. Vega received $11,645.00 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to.
Ms. Vega was processed and issued an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.


Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Press Release - Food Expiration Dates




FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: AUGUST 28, 2019
PRESS RELEASE – FOOD EXPIRATION DATES: What do they mean?


Food expiration dates don’t mean as much as many people think they do, according to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs. Most food is still edible after the expiration date but may not be as tasty.

Most consumers are surprised to learn that stores are not legally required to remove food once the expiration date has passed. They are strictly “advisory” in nature. Dating is not federally required, except for infant formula. States have varying laws. Most states – not New York - require that milk and other perishables be sold before the expiration date.

The major codes are:

  • Sell by This is the “expiration date” but does not mean the product must be pulled from sale or that it cannot be sold after that date;
  • Best if used by Flavor or quality is best by this date but the product is still edible thereafter;
  • Use by This is the last day that the manufacturer vouches for the product’s quality.

Most labels should be used as a guide, rather than a hard and fast expiration date. Consumer Affairs can be reached at 340-3260.



Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Press Release - Gloria Dee indictment




FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: AUGUST 27, 2019
RE: PRESS RELEASE - GLORIA DEE INDICTMENT

Gloria Dee, age 57, of 511 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge, NY, was charged by an Ulster County Grand Jury with two counts of Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree.

The charges stem from an incident on March 27, 2019, in the Town of Saugerties, at which time Dee was operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol when she backed into a pedestrian that she had just dropped off at his residence. The pedestrian suffered a severely broken leg requiring multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy. Dee’s breath sample indicated her blood alcohol content was over .08. 

The defendant will be scheduled for arraignment in Ulster County Court.

Friday, August 23, 2019

Press Release - Travis Sammeth conviction




FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: AUGUST 23, 2019
RE: PRESS RELEASE – TRAVIS SAMMETH

Following a jury trial on August 22, 2019, Travis Sammeth was convicted of Attempted Rape in the Second Degree. 

On September 8, 2019, Travis Sammeth made contact with an undercover police officer through an online website. He expressed interest in having sexual contact with a 14 year old girl and made arrangements to meet with who he believed to be the 14 year old girl and her stepfather. When Sammeth arrived at the designated location, the Hudson Valley Mall, he was arrested. In reaching their verdict, the jury found that Sammeth had the intent to engage in sexual intercourse with a minor and that his conduct came dangerously close to completing that intent.

The case stemmed from a three day operation carried out in Ulster County by the FBI and New York State Police Child Exploitation Task Force in conjunction with members of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office. The operation targeted individuals who pursued sexual contact with minors via social media.  The operation, here in Ulster County, led to eight arrests, seven of which led to felony convictions.

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced November 1, 2019. The defendant was represented by Benjamin Oster, Esq. The prosecution was handled by Assistant District Attorney Timothy Lawson.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Press Release - Michael Park plea




FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: AUGUST 20, 2019
RE: PRESS RELEASE - DISTRICT ATTORNEY D. HOLLEY CARNRIGHT ANNOUNCES:  ROCHESTER MAN ADMITS COURSE OF SEXUAL CONDUCT WITH A CHILD  

Michael Park, 40, formerly of Old Mine Road in the Town of Rochester, pleaded guilty on Wednesday August 14, 2019 to the Class “D” violent felony of Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the Second Degree in Ulster County Court.  The defendant admitted that between September 1, 2014 and June 30, 2018, he engaged in two or more acts of sexual conduct with a child who was less than thirteen years old. 

The defendant was arrested on October 19, 2018, following an investigation by the Ulster County Family and Child Advocacy Center.  He was indicted by an Ulster County Grand Jury on April 5, 2019 and charged with one count of Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the Second Degree, one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, also a Class D violent felony, four counts of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, a Class E felony and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child which is a misdemeanor.  The charges involve sexual contact with two different children while they were under the age of thirteen and endangerment of those children and a third child under the age of seventeen years old.

District Attorney Carnright stated, “This man was brought to justice by the courage of the young victims who came forward and reported to a parent what he had done.  This was the first case handled by an investigator new to our office with an extensive background in computer crimes.  His expertise enabled us to develop evidence which offers compelling corroboration of the victims’ disclosures”.


Park faces up to seven years in state prison and up to ten years of post-release supervision.  He will be required to register under the New York State Sexual Offender Registration Act for a minimum of twenty years.  The case was prosecuted by Special Victims Bureau Chief, Katherine R. Van Loan.  The defendant was represented by Herman Kaufman, Esq. of the firm H. Kaufman Associates in Brooklyn.