NORWICH – Five individuals charged with a variety of misdemeanor and felony crimes appeared in county court Monday, three sentenced and two pleading not guilty to the charges brought against them.
• Talon N. Taltavall, 22, New Berlin, was sentenced to one year at the Chenango County Correctional Facility after pleading guilty to one count of third degree burglary, a class D felony, and must pay approximately $700 in restitution.
Indicted by a Chenango County grand jury in May of 2012, it was alleged that Taltavall, on or about April 23 in the Town of New Berlin, did knowingly and unlawfully remain – with the intent to commit a crime – in a pair of local businesses: the New Berlin Diner, 5709 State Highway 8, and the New Berlin Big M, also known at that time as Marquit’s Supermarket, 1 South Main St. According to his indictment, Taltavall stole property consisting of two cash registers, $85 cash, tobacco products, miscellaneous groceries, two 30-packs of beer and a butcher knife.
District Attorney Joseph McBride noted Taltavall’s extensive criminal history, given his age, and said he hoped he will change his ways. Said Taltavall, “I’m very sorry for what I did; it should have never happened and it will never happen again.”
Judge W. Howard Sullivan warned Taltavall that, should he again be charged with another felony, he’d most likely be looking at a state prison sentence.
“When you get out, make good choices and you’ll have a good life,” he added.
• Wendy Peck, 39, Norwich, was sentenced to six months at the Chenango County Correctional Facility – with credit for time served – after she admitted to a willful violation of her probation.
Peck was placed on probation in July of 2010, ordered not to violate any federal, state or local law; as well as the terms and conditions of her probation. On Aug. 3, 2012, Peck was served a warrant at her residence, neglecting to inform the county’s probation department until Aug. 7, well past the 24 hours required to do so. It was also alleged that Peck, in June of 2012, admitted to using marijuana. In August, Peck allegedly admitted to the use of marijuana and cocaine.
According to the district attorney, Peck has appeared in county court a number of times over the years, at one point allowing out of town drug dealers to use her residence as space for the sale of illegal drugs. Peck could face a lengthy state prison sentence if she runs afoul of the law again, he added.
• Shane Armondi, 20, Norwich, was sentenced to five years probation after pleading guilty to one count of second degree attempted burglary.
It was alleged that Armondi, on or about April 27, 2012, in the City of Norwich, entered a West Main Street residence and attempted to steal a laptop computer.
McBride noted that Armondi appeared to be a clean cut young man, and warned him that he could face up to seven years in state prison were he to violate the terms or conditions of his probation. Judge Sullivan concurred, and said it was Armondi’s good attitude, age and lack of a criminal record that had resulted in the disposition.
Added Sullivan, “The rest is up to you.”
• Scott W. George, 40, Norwich, pleaded not guilty to charges of third degree robbery and second degree assault, both class D felonies; and resisting arrest, a class A misdemeanor.
Indicted by a Chenango County grand jury in November, George is accused of forcibly stealing $40 from another individual, “ripping the money” from the alleged victim’s hand and “pushing him to the ground,” according to his indictment. It’s also alleged that George, with the intent to prevent a police officer in the course of performing his lawful duty, did cause physical injury to said officer’s wrist, pulling away and struggling with officers in an attempt to prevent his arrest.
George was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $40,000 cash bail and will re-appear in court at a later date.
• Ivon G. Miller, 35, Pharsalia, pleaded not guilty to one count of failure to register as a sex offender, a class E felony.
It’s alleged that Miller failed to register with the Division of Criminal Justice Services a change of address within ten days of moving from his 41 Gold St. residence in the City of Norwich to an unknown location, according to his November indictment.
McBride reported that Miller is expected to be brought up on additional felony charges in December, and asked that reasonable bail be set. Judge Sullivan remanded Miller to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $50,000 cash bail and Miller will reappear in court at a later date.