NORWICH – Two brothers who allegedly possessed and sold stolen firearms were arraigned on Feb. 2 in Chenango County Court by Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr.
Thomas L. Ackermann, 25 of South Otselic and his brother, Samuel J. Ackermann, 22 of Norwich were arrested in December of 2014 for allegedly possessing and selling stolen firearms.
According to Chenango County Sheriff's Office deputies, the arrest of the Ackermann brothers followed an anonymous phone call from a person who had allegedly purchased firearms at a low cost in the Town of Ostelic.
After deputies spoke with the person who had purchased the inexpensive firearms, it was found that the purchaser had allegedly bought the stolen firearms from the two Ackermann brothers while in the Smyrna area.
When deputies were informed of the alleged sale of the firearms and charged the two brothers, Thomas was already incarcerated at the Chenango County Correctional Facility for other theft-related crimes. According to First Assistant District Attorney Michael D. Ferrarese, Thomas had allegedly stolen property out of vehicles in the City of Norwich.
Samuel was also remanded to the county jail for the charges related to the stolen firearms.
Thomas and Samuel were both indicted on Jan. 21 for two counts each of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class E felony.
It is alleged on Nov. 25, 2014 at a Town of Otselic residence, Thomas and Samuel did knowingly possess three stolen weapons, consisting of a Ruger 308 M77 Winchester rifle, a Ruger 77/50 muzzle-loader and a Remington 870 shotgun, to benefit themselves or another person other than the owner. The guns had an approximate value of $1,960 and belonged to a Town of Otselic resident.
Thomas was also indicted on Jan. 21 for the separate case of the alleged vehicle thefts. He was indicted on criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class E felony, and two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, a class A misdemeanor.
It is alleged on Dec. 9, 2014 – at approximately 2 p.m. – at a residence in the City of Norwich, Thomas did knowingly possess stolen property, consisting of a XPS-M14 Dell laptop computer and a XJ-A140V Casio projector belonging to one Norwich resident; two DVD players, $40 in loose change and a wallet belonging to another Norwich resident; and an Apple iPod belonging to a third Norwich resident, to benefit himself or another person other than the owners.
• Samuel was arraigned on Feb. 2 in Chenango County Court for the two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class E felony.
He pleaded not guilty to both counts.
According to Ferrarese, Town of Otselic Court had remanded Samuel on $5,000 cash bail or a $10,000 bond. He also said Samuel is a predicate felon and has seven misdemeanor convictions.
“He faces up to four year in prison, Judge. This case involves firearms, stealing firearms, possessing firearms and trying to sell firearms. He is a danger to our community and a flight risk,” said Ferrarese.
Ferrarese requested Revoir “at least” continue bail at the amounts set by the local court.
Samuel's public defender, David Sonn, requested a lower amount of bail and said Samuel lives with his parents and has ties to the community. “He is not a flight risk and $5,000 cash is tantamount to incarceration without bail,” said Sonn.
Revoir remanded Samuel back to the county jail on $5,000 cash bail or a $50,000 bond for both counts.
Samuel is to appear in court at a later date.
• Thomas was arraigned on Feb. 2 in Chenango County Court for the two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class E felony.
He was also arraigned on the same day for the charges related to the alleged vehicle thefts, which included criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class E felony, and two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, a class A misdemeanor.
Thomas pleaded not guilty on all counts in both separate indictments.
Ferrarese said Thomas –while acting in concert with his brother– was also involved in possessing and trying to sell firearms. He said Thomas was also involved in break-ins around the City of Norwich and allegedly stole property from people's motor vehicles.
“He also faces substantial prison time and is a predicate felon. He already has one violent felony under his belt,” said Ferrarese.
The First ADA requested Revoir remand Thomas on $5,000 cash bail for each offense in both separate indictments.
Thomas's public defender, John D. Cameron, did not object to Ferrarese's requested bail amounts.
Revoir remanded Thomas back to the county jail on $5,000 cash bail or a $50,000 bond for each count in both separate indictments.
Thomas is to appear in court at a later date.