NORWICH – Many appeared in Chenango County Court on Friday, May 30 for pleas, sentencing and for violations of probation.
• Mark Crawford, 46, Bainbridge, appeared in court for his sentencing. On May 12 he had pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual abuse in the second degree, a class C felony. On May 30 he was sentenced to eight years in state prison and fifteen years post release supervision. After his release Crawford will be deported and sent back to the United Kingdom, of which he is a citizen.
At his plea Crawford did admit to committing an unlawful sexual act with a child under the age of 11 in October 2013. The victim was under the age of three at the time of the act.
• Dequay Shoulders, 31, Syracuse, appeared in court for his plea and sentencing. He pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a class B felony. He was then sentenced to two years in state prison and one year of probation supervision following his release.
Shoulders was originally arrested on September 11, 2013, in New Berlin after a “no-knock” search warrant at his residence resulted in the discovery of approximately one ounce of crack cocaine. Cash, packaging material and other drug paraphernalia were also discovered.
In a previous Evening Sun article his attorney, Susan Lettis, was quoted as saying that Shoulders “does want to the opportunity to work with probation” and “understands the severity of the charges and has respect for the court in the process.”
• William Knapp, 37, Bainbridge, appeared in court for his sentencing. On March 31 he pleaded guilty to assault in the second degree, a class D felony. On May 30 he was sentenced to one year in the Chenango County Correctional Facility.
• Christopher N. Chambers, 26, appeared in court for his plea and sentencing. He pleaded guilty to assault in the second degree, a class D felony. He was sentenced to three years in state prison and was remanded to CCCF.
• Keith E. Johnson, 22, South New Berlin, appeared in court for his arraignment. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. He was released on his own recognizance.
• Kevin M. Fernandez, 24, Norwich, appeared in court for a violation of probation. Per the violation new alcohol and drug conditions were added to his probation sentence, which he will continue.
• Joseph F. Ashley, 56, Norwich, appeared in court for violation of probation. The court proceeded to revoke his probation and he was sentenced to one year incarceration at the CCCF.
• Timothy P. McCarthy, 35, South New Berlin, appeared in court for two violations of his probation. The court revoked his probation and he will serve one to three years in prison for each count, which will run concurrent of each other. “According to the prosecution, McCarthy allegedly sold Suboxone and failed out of drug treatment court,” stated a prior Evening Sun article.