NORWICH – On Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, the grand jury met and the District Attorney presented evidence against a number of individuals accused of felony offenses.
During 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 decide if there is enough evidence to indict. On Wednesday, the grand jury indicted 11 individuals.
• Michael J. Golotty, 25, Elmira, was indicted on the charges of arson in the third degree, a class C felony; burglary in the third degree, a class D felony; and criminal mischief in the second degree, a class D felony.
It is alleged that on or about Nov. 29, 2013 in the early morning hours, Golotty did intentionally start a fire inside a storage unit at The Storage Center, LLC in the Town of Norwich. The total amount of damage was said to be approximately $229,106.
• Tyler R. Clair, 31, Florida, was indicted on aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child in the car, a class E felony; and driving while intoxicated, a class A misdemeanor.
Allegedly, Clair operated a motor vehicle on Interstate 88 in an intoxicated state with a 12-year-old passenger.
• Hennessy C. Hawkins, 37, Rome, was indicted on the class E felony of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree.
It is alleged that on or about Oct. 30, 2013, Hawkins did knowingly and unlawfully possess a flat screen television and sound system valued at approximately $1,200.
• Devin P. Dean, 25, Oxford, was indicted by the grand jury on aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, a class E felony; driving while intoxicated, a class A misdemeanor; and resisting arrest, a class A misdemeanor.
Allegedly, Dean operated a vehicle on Albany Street in the Village of Oxford on or about Dec. 3, 2013 while in an intoxicated state. It’s also alleged that Dean knew, or had reason to know, that his license was suspended or revoked. It’s additionally alleged that he attempted to prevent his arrest by failing to obey commands of law enforcement, and failed to give his hands up when ordered by the officers, resulting in Dean being pepper sprayed and physical force being used by the officer to take him into custody.
• Brandy L. Bousson, 25, Norwich, was indicted on two counts of burglary in the third degree, a class D felony; grand larceny in the third degree, a class D felony; and two counts of petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.
It is alleged that Bousson, while in concert with another, did enter and remain unlawfully in Mayhoods Sporting Goods in the Town of Norwich on two different occasions, and stole property consisting of numerous firearms, ammunition, and hunting supplies. The approximate value of the stolen firearms was said to be more than $19,000.
• Connie L. Burrows, 53, Mt. Upton, was indicted on the class E felony of driving while ability impaired.
It’s alleged that Barrows, on or about Sept. 8, 2013 in the Town of Bainbridge, did operate a motor vehicle while her ability to do so was impaired by drugs. According to the indictment, a blood test showed she had benzolyecgonine and codeine in her blood.
• Mark A. Alemar, 35, Guilford, was indicted on robbery in the first degree, a class B felony; and burglary in the first degree, a class B felony.
Allegedly, Alemar, in concert with others, did unlawfully enter and remain in a dwelling on Bradley Hill Road in Oxford on Dec. 30, 2013, then did forcibly steal a cell phone by having the victim lay on the floor of the residence with a gun pointed at her.
He was allegedly armed with a handgun, a taser, and a stick during the commission of the crime.
• Corey L. Clark, 31, Norwich, was indicted on robbery in the first degree, a class B felony; and burglary in the first degree, a class B felony.
It is alleged that Clark, in concert with others, did unlawfully enter and remain in a dwelling on Bradley Hill Road in Oxford on Dec. 30, 2013, then did forcibly steal a cell phone by having the victim lay on the floor of the residence with a gun pointed at her.
He was allegedly armed with a handgun, a taser, and a stick during the commission of the crime.
• Justin M. Townsend, 25, Guilford, was indicted on robbery in the first degree, a class B felony; and burglary in the first degree, a class B felony.
Allegedly, Townsend, in concert with others, did unlawfully enter and remain in a dwelling on Bradley Hill Road in Oxford on Dec. 30, 2013, then did forcibly steal a cell phone by having the victim lay on the floor of the residence with a gun pointed at her.
He was allegedly armed with a handgun, a taser, and a stick during the commission of the crime.
• Robert A. Jorgensen, 24, New Berlin, was indicted on the class E felony of criminal possession of a firearm.
It’s alleged that on or about Jan. 29, 2014, in the Town of Columbus, Jorgensen did possess a stolen Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun and did not possess a valid handgun permit.
• Ryan J. Chesebro, 20, Edmeston, was indicted on criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree, a class D felony; criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class E felony; and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor.
Allegedly, Chesebro sold a Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun to another person without having the authorization to do so.
The indicted individuals will appear in court at a later date.