NORWICH – The Chenango County Grand Jury met Wednesday and handed up several criminal indictments.
At the proceedings, the District Attorney’s Office presents evidence against those they wish to prosecute and the jury decides if there is enough reasonable cause to charge a person.
• Jason E. Heisler, 34, of 223 West State Road, Oxford was indicted for first degree rape (B felony), first degree sexual abuse (D felony), second degree sexual act and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Allegedly Heisler subjected two young children, the girl under 11 and the boy under 15, to sexual contact at his residence between 2003 and 2006. He reportedly had intercourse with the young girl. In conjunction to the original investigation involving the girl, police also discovered evidence that led them to charging Heisler with molesting the boy.
Heisler was arrested Oct. 23. Heisler’s wife Christina was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child because she allegedly knew of the incidents but failed to report them to authorities. He is in the Chenango County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 bail.
• 40-year-old Glenn W. Rolland of Livingston Manor was originally arrested for over a dozen crimes ranging from felony offenses to traffic violations. Wednesday, the grand jury indicted him on first degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest.
Police said Rolland was under the influence with a suspended license and resisted arrest by fleeing marked police vehicles.
Sheriff’s deputies clocked Rolland speeding at 65 mph along the 30 mph zone on North Broad Street when a patrol attempted to pull him over. Rolland allegedly ignored police and led them on a pursuit through the city until he eventually pulled over on Henry Street. Police said Rolland then exited his vehicle and became confrontational with deputies.
• Lance Beckwith, 19, Norwich, was indicted for third degree burglary (D-felony) and petit larceny for allegedly breaking into Steel Sales Inc., Oct. 20, in the Town of Sherburne. Once inside Beckwith is accused of stealing up to $625 in cash, cell phones and camera equipment.
• Aaron J. Morgan, 29, State Rt. 80, Sherburne, was indicted for first degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle with more then .08 blood-alcohol percentage. (All E felonies). Police said they pulled Morgan over and he was operating his vehicle with a suspended license while under the influence of alcohol at about 12:55 a.m. Oct. 27 in the Town of Sherburne along Rt. 12 B. He has a prior DWI conviction from July 14, 2004.
• Zachary C. Tenant, 27, was indicted for third degree rape and third degree criminal sexual act for allegedly having sex with minor in the Town of German Oct. 13.
• Donald L. Benedict Jr., 20, Greene, was charged with driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle with more then .08 blood-alcohol percentage. Police pulled over Benedict in the on Cty. Rt. 2, in the Town of Greene Nov. 3 at about 8:22 p.m. He has a prior conviction for DWI from June 12, 2000.
• Scott A. Chapman, no age or residence given, was indicted for third degree burglary (D felony), fourth and fifth degree criminal possession of stolen property and fourth degree grand larceny. Chapman allegedly broke into a home on Beebe Road in the Town of Coventry at around 10 p.m. Oct. 13 and stole a number of fire arms and other household items. When police arrested Chapman Oct. 16, they allegedly discovered that he was in possession of additional property that did not belong to him.
• Frank Gonzalez was indicted for third degree criminal sexual act (E felony) and endangering the welfare of a child. Both charges are related to Gonzalez allegedly having sexual contact with an girl under the age of 17.