NORWICH – Several people appeared in county court for arraignments, pleas and sentencing on Monday, May 5.
• Douglas J. Scherr, 33, Budd Lake, NJ, was brought into court on a fugitive warrant. Extradition was waived. Scherr was charged with aggravated arson in the second degree in Morris County, New Jersey. Scherr was remanded to the CCCF as he awaits to be picked up by New Jersey officials. Pick up is scheduled to be in three weeks time.
“We got notification from New Jersey law enforcement,” said District Attorney Joe McBride. “We notified the local sheriff department who got a group of officers together.”
Employees of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office went to where the suspect was thought to be and was found. He was then taken into custody and brought to court.
If NJ authorities fail to pick up Scherr within 30 days, he will be released.
• Jory D. Page, 27, Sherburne, was brought into court for his arraignment and pleaded not guilty to criminal contempt in the first degree, a class E felony; menacing in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor; and endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor. Bail was posted at $1,000 and a county court no contact order of protection was issued for the victim. A pre-plea investigation was not issued at that time and Page was released on bail.
Allegedly, Page, in Norwich on March 10, 2014, disobeyed an order of protection that came from Chenango County Family Court on Oct. 11, 2013. It is further alleged that he threatened to kill a female victim and displayed a dangerous instrument, a 13 inch long metal wrench.
It is also alleged that Page said he would break open the head of a male victim, which is when he did swing a wrench at the victim. At the time of the alleged incident, a five year old was near the male victim.
• Gregory J. Rose, 36, Norwich, was brought into court for sentencing and changed his plea from not guilty to guilty to the class D felony of burglary in the third degree. He was sentenced to six months of incarceration at the CCCF and five years of probation supervision. He was also ordered to pay $500 of restitution and will be liable for the other $1,000 if his co-defendants do not pay their amount.
It is alleged that on October 12, 2013, Rose, in concert with others, stole two four-wheelers, a television set and hunting clothes from a seasonal camp in Pharsalia.
“He needs to change his life and reevaluate what he wants to do,” said McBride. “Get a job, pay the restitution and stay out of trouble.”
Judge Revoir agreed with these sentiments and said, “His record is replete with misdemeanor violations.” He explained that if something like this happens again Rose would become a predicate felon.
• Tarik D. Patterson, 32, Utica, appeared for his felony arraignment and pleaded not guilty to a class B felony of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree; class C felony of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree; and class A misdemeanor of possessing a controlled substance in the seventh degree. Bail was set at $50,000 cash or $500,000 bond.
District Attorney McBride explained that Patterson had been on parole for robbery and had served fifteen years in jail prior to this arraignment. Patterson has a parole hold and was remanded to the CCCF in lieu of the aforementioned bail amount.
• Quana N. Thomas, 31, Utica, was brought into court for her arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the class D felony of grand larceny in the third degree, class D felony of grand larceny in the third degree, and a class E felony of grand larceny in the fourth degree. Bail was set at $20,000 cash or $200,000 bond. Thomas consented to be judged by Superior Court information and not indictment.
McBride explained that Thomas has been arrested 20 times before and has two prior felony convictions. Thomas was remanded to CCCF.
• Michael R. Pollock, 45, Pharsalia, was brought into court for sentencing and pleaded guilty to felony DWI. He was sentenced to a split sentence of six months at the Chenango County Correctional Facility followed by three years of probation supervision. Pollock was also ordered to pay $1,570 in fees and surcharges within a year after his incarceration. His driver's license was revoked for a year and he was ordered to participate in Leandra's Law, the ignition interlock program, for 24 months and be responsible for 50 percent of the program cost.
District Attorney McBride explained that Pollock had been charged with three DWIs before this sentencing.
“He needs to make sure that he doesn't drink and drive,” said McBride and emphasized that Pollock could easily kill someone else if he continues this behavior. Pollock signed the terms of his probation and was taken to the CCCF.
• Audra H. Brendel, 43, Bainbridge, was brought into court for sentencing and pleaded guilty to Aggravated DWI, a class E felony. The plea involved a one year interim probation supervision. If she does well the charge will be reduced to a class A misdemeanor.
It is alleged that on October 3, 2013, Brendel was found to be operating a motor vehicle with .20 of one percentum of alcohol in her blood. In 2004, she was previously charged with a misdemeanor for driving with .08 one percentum of alcohol in her blood.
• Benjamin H. Eaton, 28, Bainbridge, was brought into court for his arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a class E felony; and DWI, a class A misdemeanor. Judge Revoir reduced bail from $6,000 to $1,000 and ordered Eaton to report to the court treatment coordinator to submit to random testing. Eaton was also ordered not to leave the state of New York or to operate a motor vehicle. Eaton was released on his own recognizance to return to court at a later date.