NORWICH – A number of individuals charged with a variety of felony and misdemeanor crimes appeared in Chenango County Court Friday and Monday, three pleading guilty to the charges brought against them while six others pleaded not guilty and will re-appear in court at a later date.
•Andrew S. Button, 28, Mt. Upton, pleaded guilty to one count of first degree sexual abuse, a class D violent felony, and was sentenced to six months at the Chenango County Correctional Facility followed by ten years of probation. An order of protection was also issued, prohibiting any contact between Button and his victim.
Indicted by a Chenango County grand jury in January, it was alleged that – on or about Dec. 23, 2012, in the Village of Bainbridge – Button subjected another person to sexual contact, that person being under the age of eleven.
“Just from a human point of view, what the defendant did is inexcusable,” said Assistant District Attorney Michael J. Genute. “A seven-year-old not only had to endure it, but also had to go through the process of reporting an incident which she described as making her feel mad, sad, confused, and dirty.”
When given an opportunity to speak to the victim's parents, who were present during the proceedings, Button declined, although he did speak on his own behalf prior to sentencing.
“I am very sorry for what I have done, I just hope everyone can move on with their lives,” stated Button.
• Dustin J. Norris, 29, Smyrna, pleaded guilty to one count of second degree forgery, a class D felony, and was sentenced to one year interim probation.
It was alleged that Norris, in September of last year, forged another individual's signature on a check and cashed it at a local bank, receiving $75 from another person’s savings account.
• Judy K. Bailey, 53, Waterville, pleaded not guilty to charges of fourth degree grand larceny, a class E felony; and petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.
It is alleged that Bailey stole a television set, an air compressor, and a generator from a Norwich business in the month of March.
• Randy P. Brown, 60, Oxford, pleaded not guilty to charges of defacement of a weapon – a class D felony – and third degree possession of a weapon, also a class D felony.
Brown is accused of being in possession of a number of firearms with filed off serial numbers, as well as attempting to dispose of a Remington 12 gauge shotgun, similarly defaced.
• James W. Bailey, 26, Utica, pleaded not guilty to three counts of fourth degree grand larceny, a class E felony; and three counts of petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.
Already on probation following an unrelated grand larceny conviction, it is alleged that Bailey stole merchandise valuing more than $1,000 from the same Norwich business on three separate occasions in the month of March.
• A not guilty plea was submitted on the behalf of Roderic R. Williams, 45, Syracuse, for the crimes of aggravated driving while intoxicated; a class D felony, driving while intoxicated – also a class D felony – and first degree unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a class E felony.
It is alleged that Williams drove an automobile without a valid license and under the influence of alcohol. He allegedly registered a blood alcohol content of .23 of 1 percent, nearly three times the legal limit.
• Marvelous C. Williams, 25, Syracuse, pleaded guilty to one count of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony.
It was alleged that – on or about Jan. 16, 2012, in the Town of Norwich – Williams “knowingly and unlawfully possessed seven individually wrapped plastic baggies of the narcotic cocaine with an approximate weight of 15.05 grams.”
Due to the circumstances of Williams arrest, it was necessary for a clarification to be placed on the record during the proceedings. Revoir asked that Williams state for the record that the drugs were indeed on his person when he was placed into an unmarked police car at the time of his arrest, despite the fact that the drugs were later found by authorities elsewhere in the car.
Williams' sentencing was adjourned for a period of four months following which he will be sentenced to two years incarceration followed by two years of probation, as stipulated in his plea bargain with the district attorney's office.
• Lacey L. Gould, 29, Sherburne, pleaded not guilty to one count of fourth degree grand larceny, a class E felony; and one count petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.
It is alleged that Gould – on or about March 8 of this year in the Town of Sherburne – stole a 14 karat white gold diamond wedding band and a bottle of Tramadol containing between 70 to 100 pills from a Sanitarium Road residence.
A temporary order of protection was issued for the alleged victim while the matter is resolved.
• Arik W. Nisbet, 24, Oxford, pleaded not guilty to two counts of third degree criminal sexual act – a class E felony – and one count of endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor.
It is alleged that – on or about Feb. 8, 2013 in the Town of Greene – Nisbet engaged in sexual acts with a person less than 17 years of age.
A temporary order of protection was issued prohibiting Nisbet from any unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18, as well as an temporary order of protection for the alleged victim.