NORWICH – The Chenango County grand jury met Wednesday and handed up a number of criminal indictments. At the proceeding, the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office presents evidence against those they wish to prosecute. It is up to the jury to decide if there is enough reasonable cause to charge a person with a felony offense.
Those indicted by the grand jury are arraigned before the county or Supreme Court judge at a later date.
The grand jury indicted nine individuals:
• Christopher J. West, 29, of Bainbridge, was indicted on charges of driving while ability impaired and aggravated driving while intoxicated, both class D felonies.
It’s alleged that West, on or about Feb. 5, 2012 on County Road 39 in the Town of Bainbridge, failed a field sobriety test and admitted he had taken prescription drugs. The indictment also states that West’s 9-year-old son was in the vehicle at the time of his arrest.
West has two prior driving while intoxicated convictions, dating from Feb. 24, 2004 and June 22, 2007 in Broome County Court.
• Benjamin J. Ryan, 26, of Oxford, was indicted on charges of third degree burglary, a class D felony, and petit larceny, an A misdemeanor.
It’s alleged that Ryan, on or about March 17, 2012 in the Village of Oxford, did knowingly enter and unlawfully remain – with the intent to commit a crime – in a Merchant Street business in the early morning hours, stealing approximately $1,000 in cash.
• Shane T. Armondi, 19, of Norwich, was indicted on charges of second degree burglary, a class C felony, and attempted petit larceny, a B misdemeanor.
It’s alleged that Armondi, on or about April 27, 2012 in the City of Norwich, did knowingly enter and unlawfully remain – with the intent to commit a crime – a West Main Street residence, attempting to steal a laptop computer belonging to another individual.
• Brandon S. Hilts, 19, of Edmeston, was indicted on charges of fourth degree grand larceny, a class E felony, and petit larceny, an A misdemeanor.
Hilts is accused of stealing property consisting of a debit/credit card that belonged to another individual on or about Feb. 23, 2012, on County Road 23 in the Town of North Norwich.
• Rodney H. Maclaury, 29, of Norwich, was indicted on one count of first degree criminal nuisance, a class E felony.
It’s alleged that Maclaury, on or about March 9, 2012 in the Town of Norwich, did knowingly conduct or maintain a premises or place where others gathered for the purpose of engaging in the unlawful sale of controlled substances. He is accused of renting a room at the Norwich Motor Lodge, 5688 State Highway 12, and allowing individuals to sell cocaine from the property, benefitting from the transactions that took place therein.
• Talon N. Taltavall, 21, of New Berlin, was indicted on two counts of third degree burglary, a class D felony, and two counts of petit larceny, an A misdemeanor.
It’s alleged that Taltavall, on or about April 23, 2012 in the Town of New Berlin, did knowingly enter and unlawfully remain – with the intent to commit a crime – two local businesses: the New Berlin Diner, 5709 State Highway 8, and the New Berlin Big M (Marquit Supermarket), 1 South Main St., stealing property consisting of two cash registers, $85 cash, chewing tobacco, cigarettes, miscellaneous groceries, two 30-packs of beer and a butcher knife.
• Charles J. Hughes, 47, of Norwich, was indicted on charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated and driving while intoxicated, both class E felonies, as well as one misdemeanor count of third degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
According to the indictment, Hughes was operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .18 of 1 percent or higher, on or about March 8, 2012, on East Park Street in the City of Norwich. It’s also alleged that Hughes was observed swaying while he walked, speaking with a slurred voice, having bloodshot and watery eyes and smelling strongly of alcohol at the time of his arrest.
Hughes has one prior driving while intoxicated conviction dating from May 11, 2005, in the Village of Earlville Court.
• Lukis P. Smith, 43, of Guilford, was indicted on charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated and driving while intoxicated, both class E felonies.
It’s alleged that Smith, on or about Dec. 4, 2011 on State Highway 8 in the Town of Guilford, operated a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .18 of 1 percent or higher. It’s also alleged that Smith was observed swaying while he walked, speaking with a slurred voice, having bloodshot and watery eyes and smelling strongly of alcohol at the time of his arrest.
Smith has one prior driving while intoxicated conviction dating from Aug. 2, 2007, in the Town of Oneonta Court.
• Also indicted was New Berlin resident Lauren McMaster, 75, charged with six counts of second degree criminal mischief, a class D felony, and one count of tampering with physical evidence, an E felony. The full story appeared in Thursday’s Evening Sun.