Press Release - Christopher Zaorski Appeal

PRESS RELEASE

FROM:     HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE:     FEBRUARY 1, 2018

The Appellate Division, Third Department has unanimously affirmed the resentence of Christopher Zaorski upon his conviction of the crimes of burglary in the first degree and assault in the second degree. 

Defendant’s conviction stems from an incident which occurred very early on the morning of April 20, 2008 in Pine Bush.  At that time, the victim, out walking his dog, observed suspicious activity outside his neighbor’s home and confronted the defendant, whom he observed prowling around.  During the physical confrontation which ensued, the victim was seriously injured, later requiring 13 staples and eight stitches to close cuts to his head and scalp.  During the subsequent investigation, police discovered that jewelry and other items had been taken by defendant from the neighbor’s residence.

The defendant was initially sentenced by Ulster County Court Judge Donald A. Williams to concurrent determinate terms of 15 years for the burglary and seven years on the assault followed by five years of postrelease supervision.  He was, however, resentenced in 2015 to the same term of imprisonment as County Court failed to assign him new counsel in connection with a previous motion to withdraw his plea. 

On appeal, defendant challenged the resentence on the ground it was harsh and excessive.  This claim, however, was rejected by the Appellate Division, Third Department. 

On appeal, defendant is represented by David E. Woodin, Esq. of Catskill, New York.  Assistant District Attorney Joan Gudesblatt Lamb, Esq. handled the appeal for the District Attorney’s Office.

Press Release - Jean Carlos Colon Sentence

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: JANUARY 29, 2018

RE: JEAN CARLOS COLON SENTENCE

Jean Carlos Colon, 23, of 5 Glass Street in Ellenville, was sentenced Monday, January 29, 2018 in Ulster County Court to twenty two years to be served in the care and custody of the New York State Department of Corrections followed by twenty years of post-release supervision.  The defendant will also be required to register under the New York State Sexual Offender Registration Act for the remainder of his life and an Order of Protection was issued in favor of the victim and two members of her household which will remain in effect until January 29, 2048.  Mandatory fines and fees were also imposed.

 

Colon pled guilty on November 9, 2017 to the Class “B” violent offense of Rape in the First Degree in satisfaction of a two count Indictment which also included the Class “C” violent offense of Burglary in the Second Degree.  Colon admitted that he engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim by forcible compulsion on June 23, 2017 after breaking into the victim’s home in the Village of Ellenville.  

The defendant was arrested on the day of the offense after an investigation by the Ellenville Police Department with assistance from the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police Forensic Identification Unit and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office which commenced with a 911 call by the victim.  The defendant was found a few hours later at a bus stop.

Colon was arrested in May, weeks before this incident for another forcible sex crime against a different victim in Ellenville but both felony and misdemeanor charges arising out of that incident were dismissed by a previous Grand Jury.  

Special Victims Bureau Chief Katherine R. Van Loan, handled the prosecution for the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office.   

The defendant was represented by Russel Schindler, Esq. of the Ulster County Public Defender’s Office. 

    

              

Press Release - Stop Unwanted Mailings

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: JANUARY 29, 2018

RE: STOP UNWANTED MAILINGS

If you want to reduce the amount of unsolicited national advertising mail you receive at home, the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs suggests registering your name and address with the Data & Marketing Association (formerly Direct Marketing Association) at www.DMAchoice.org. DMAchoice offers consumers a simple, step-by-step process that enables them to decide what mail they do and do not want.

Consumers without internet access can contact the association at DMAchoice, Data & Marketing Association, PO Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512. Register by sending your name and address (with signature), along with a $3 processing fee (check or money order payable to DMA).

Consumer Affairs can be reached at 340-3260

NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY

NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY

NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY

Next Tuesday, Jan. 9th, is NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY. Send me a short story, note of appreciation or picture.  I will post it.

Press Release - Telephone Scams

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: JANUARY 2, 2018

RE: PRESS RELEASE -  TELEPHONE SCAMS MORE NUMEROUS AND DANGEROUS

According to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs, unwanted telephone calls to consumers increased 76% in 2017 (this according to a data analysis compiled by Hiya (https://hiya.com/), a free call-screening app). These mostly robocalls can represent annoying interruptions, or they can be dangerous scams that are designed to steal victims’ money or identities. This year, Hiya has identified a new trend it calls “the neighbor scam.” Spoofing technology allows a clever scammer to make his number appear to be local, making it more likely the recipient will answer. The scammer placing the call, usually from outside the country, hopes consumers think they recognize the number as familiar even though it’s not a number saved in their phone.

Common phone scams include the utility scam, the grandparent scam, the charity scam, the computer cold call repair scam and, of course, the IRS scam.

Consumer Affairs advises the best defense against these phone scams is a healthy amount of skepticism. Scammers generally try to scare their victims, or they promise them something that’s just too good to be true. Consumers should not hesitate to hang up when they hear a recorded voice, even if it looks like a local call.

Consumer Affairs can be reached at 340-3260.

Press Release - Edward Evans Appeal

PRESS RELEASE

FROM:     HOLLEY CARNRIGHT, DISTRICT ATTORNEY

DATE:     DECEMBER 28, 2017

  

The Appellate Division, Third Department has unanimously affirmed the April, 2015 conviction of Edward Evans upon his plea of guilty of the crimes of assault in the second degree, a class D violent felony, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a class D felony. 

Defendant’s conviction stems from an incident which occurred on December 22, 2013 in Kingston, New York.  That afternoon, the defendant became enraged when he discovered his girlfriend’s 14 year old daughter kissing her 15 year old boyfriend.  During the argument which ensued, defendant attacked the victim with a hunting knife with a nine inch blade, slashing his wrist and causing him significant physical injury. 

Following his plea of guilty to these crimes, defendant was sentenced by County Court Judge Donald A. Williams to a determinate eight year State prison sentence to be followed by five years of postrelease supervision. 

On appeal, defendant maintained that his plea was not knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently entered due to his attorney’s ineffectiveness, that the sentence imposed by County Court was unduly harsh and excessive and that he was denied his constitutional right to a speedy trial.  The Appellate Division, Third Department, however, found each of these claims to either be without merit or unpreserved for the Court’s review. 

On appeal, the defendant is represented by Michael C. Ross, Esq. of Bloomingburg, New York.  Assistant District Attorney Joey Drillings, Esq. handled the appeal for the District Attorney’s Office.