NORWICH – On Wednesday, Jan. 15, the grand jury met and the District Attorney presented evidence against a number of individuals accused of felony offenses. At an indictment proceeding, witnesses give testimony to the jury, and the District Attorney offers statements and reasons as to why he believes there is sufficient evidence to indict.
The defendant and defense counsel are not present during a grand jury proceeding, but if indicted, the defense is provided with a transcript of the proceedings. This is often why prosecutors do not provide all the evidence they have at a grand jury proceeding.
Once the District Attorney and witnesses have finished, the grand jury convenes to decides if there is enough evidence to indict. On Wednesday, the grand jury indicted ten.
• Farrell M. Ruffles, was indicted on the charges of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, a class E felony; aggravated driving while intoxicated, a class E felony; and driving while intoxicated, a class E felony.
It is alleged that on or about Dec. 15, 2013 in the Town of Norwich, that Ruffles did knowingly and unlawfully operate a motor vehicle knowing that his driver’s license was revoked or suspended. Additionally, Ruffles was allegedly operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and had a blood alcohol content of .21 – more than twice the legal limit –, per an analysis of his breath.
• Jennifer E. Langer, was indicted on charges of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a class E felony; and petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.
Langer allegedly cashed a fraudulent check valued at $1,980.56 in the Village of Oxford on or about Nov. 12, 2013.
• Christina W. Clifford, was charged with burglary in the second degree, a class C felony; and petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.
It is alleged that Clifford, in concert with others, did enter and remain unlawfully at Milford Academy on or about Nov. 16, 2013 in the Village of New Berlin. While in the building unlawfully, Clifford allegedly stole assorted property belonging to resident students of Milford Academy.
• Kimberly N. Haughton, was indicted on the charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a class B felony; unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine in the third degree, a class D felony; criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine, a class E felony; and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a class A misdemeanor.
On or about Aug. 1, 2013, it is alleged that Haughton was in possession of a prescription bottle containing methamphetamine with the intent to sell it. Allegedly – per the indictment –Haughton was found to be in possession of pseudophedrine, rock salt, acetone, cold packs, lithium batteries, drain cleaner, mason jars, and funnels – precursors of making meth.
• Lacey L. Gould, was indicted on the charges of grand larceny in the third degree, a class D felony; and six counts of forgery in the second degree, a class D felony.
Allegedly, during the time period o September 2012 and January 2013, in the Village of Sherburne, that Gould did steal property of another by forging checks from the victim’s account. Gould allegedly forged 62 checks with the total value exceeding $21,000.
• Brandon J. Hannah, was indicted on charges of burglary in the second degree, a class C felony; petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor; and reckless endangerment in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor.
It is alleged that on or about Dec. 25, 2013, in the Town of Bainbridge, Hannah did enter and remain in a building with the intent to commit a crime, and then did commit the crime of larceny. Hannah allegedly stole a laptop, Playstation 3, Playstation games, tools, blankets, and money from the victim.
It is also alleged that Hannah then drove his vehicle directly at the victim before applying his brakes, striking the victim’s legs with the vehicle as he was stopping.
• John G. Richards, was indicted on the charge of criminal possession of marijuana in the second degree, a class D felony.
It is alleged that in the Town of Plymouth, on or about Aug. 25, 2013, that Richards was in possession of 630 grams of marijuana at his residence, which is more than 16 ounces.
• Christopher Chambers, was indicted on the charges of assault in the second degree, a class D felony; assault in the third degree, a class A misdemeanor; and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, a class A misdemeanor.
It is alleged that on or about Nov. 22, 2013, in the Town of Norwich at Valley Ridge CIT, Chambers caused serious injury to an employee by punching and kneeing him in his ribs. The victim had two fractured ribs and serious physical injury as a result.
It is additionally alleged that Chambers did slam the head of a different employee of Valley Ridge CIT into a wall causing neck and shoulder injury, and also tried to impede the victim’s normal breathing and blood circulation by putting his arm around his neck during the incident.
• Patrick M. Kain, 27, was indicted on two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, a class D felony; and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor.
It is alleged that Kain subjected a female under the age of 13 to sexual contact between March and June of 2012.
• Bridgitt M. Eggleston, was indicted on three counts of grand larceny in the second degree, a class C felony; and four counts of grand larceny in the third degree, a class D felony.
It is alleged that Eggleston, while in concert with another, did steal property belonging to a business. Eggleston allegedly stole numerous heavy equipment items including an excavator, caterpillar, backhoe and bulldozer. The approximate value of the equipment stolen was $148,000.
The above individuals will appear in Chenango County Court at a later date.