NORWICH – Four individuals facing a variety of felony and misdemeanor charges pleaded not guilty in County Court on Friday, while another accepted an agreed-upon disposition and was sentenced to five years probation.
• James K. Smith, 29, of Bainbridge, pleaded guilty to one count of second degree attempted burglary – a class D felony – following a conference between the county’s public defender and district attorney’s offices.
In July, Smith was indicted on charges of second degree burglary, a class C felony, as well as fourth degree criminal mischief and petit larceny, class A misdemeanors, after he allegedly entered a residence on Searles Hill Road in the Town of Bainbridge and stole approximately $80 in cash and a digital camera.
Smith apologized for the incident and admitted there was “no excuse” for his actions, an apology Judge W. Howard Sullivan called meaningful to the court. He was sentenced to five years probation and must pay restitution in the amount of approximately $200. If he were to violate the terms of his probation, Smith could face up to seven years in state prison.
• Marvelous C. Williams, 24, of Rochester, pleaded not guilty to three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, one count of tampering with physical evidence, a class E felony, and one count of seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor.
It’s alleged that, on or about Jan. 16, Williams did knowingly and unlawfully possess seven individually-wrapped plastic baggies of cocaine with an approximate weight of 15.05 grams and a total of 30 glassine envelopes containing heroin. The indictment also alleges Williams – in an attempt to hide the drugs – placed them in the rear pockets of the front and back seats of an unmarked police car.
Judge Sullivan set Williams’ bail at $30,000 following statements by his attorney, Paul Battisti, and District Attorney Joseph McBride, who reminded the court that Williams was the target of an investigation into the sale of narcotics in the area and is facing up to nine years in state prison if convicted. Williams is an “extreme flight risk,” said McBride, who asked bail remain at $100,000.
• Charles F. Cahill, 43, of Norwich, pleaded not guilty to charges of third degree burglary, a class D felony, fourth degree grand larceny, a class E felony, and petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.
It’s alleged that Cahill, on or about Feb. 4, did knowingly enter and unlawfully remain in the St. Bartholomew’s Parish House, where he stole a Dell Studio XPS computer, its attachments, and a DVD player, with an approximate total value of $1,220.
Cahill’s bail was set at $5,000 and he was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility pending further action.
• Austin R. Demuth, 17, of Oxford, pleaded not guilty to charges of third degree criminal mischief, a class E felony, and fourth degree criminal mischief, a class A misdemeanor.
It’s alleged that Demuth, on or about Nov. 24, broke the driver’s side window of a 2010 Ford vehicle with a hammer at Roger’s Body Shop, 5362 State Highway 41 in the Town of Smithville.
Demuth was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $5,000 cash bail, where he said he is currently serving a one-year sentence.
• Jeremy M. Sawyer, 35, of Norwich, pleaded not guilty to charges of first degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a class E felony, and driving while intoxicated, a class A misdemeanor.
It’s alleged that Sawyer, on or about Jan. 8, on County Road 23 in the Town of Norwich, operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol with the knowledge that his NYS driver’s license was revoked or suspended.
Sawyer was released on his recognizance and instructed by Sullivan not to consume or possess any alcoholic beverages, controlled substances or marijuana.