HUDSON– Benjamin Franklin McKinney, 46, of Hudson, a Level 2 sex offender wanted by Hudson Police, was apprehended by US Marshals in Robins, Georgia, January 24.
Mr. McKinney is being held on federal charges under the Adam Walsh Act for failing to register as a sex offender. He was arraigned before the magistrate in Georgia. His bail bond was set at $20,000 bond and he must wear an electronic monitoring device.
Hudson Police detectives initiated an investigation into Mr. McKinney’s whereabouts in August 2008 after the state Division of Criminal Justice Services told them it had sent an annual verification report to Mr. McKinney’s last known address in Hudson and he failed to answer and update his verification as required.
A warrant was later filed through Hudson City Court for charges under state law for failing to register.
During the investigation information was received that Mr. McKinney may have fled the state. He was tracked down by the US Marshals Service and arrested in Georgia.
Also assisting Hudson Police during the investigation in addition to the marshals was the state Intelligence Center, state Division of Parole, the state Division of Criminal Justice Services and the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information about criminal activity is asked to contact City Police at (518) 828-3388 or the Hudson Police Detective Unit and TIPS Line at (518) 828-9900.
*Hudson Police arrested two men on narcotics charges following a traffic stop in the parking lot of a closed business on the 700 block of Columbia Street, January 20 at 3:30 a.m.
Sincere M. Johnson, 35, of Manhattan, operator of the vehicle, and Harvey N. Thomas, 49, of Hudson, the passenger, were charged with third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and first degree loitering.
They allegedly possessed 308 glassine packages of heroin with the intent to sell. Mr. Johnson was additionally charged with a second count of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell cocaine and fourth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance for allegedly possessing in excess of an eighth ounce of cocaine; criminal impersonation; unlawful possession of marijuana; driving with a suspended license and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. He was also arrested on a Hudson City Court bench warrant for failure to pay a fine and was also arrested on a parole warrant.
After the arrests and recovery of the narcotics, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit was called in to check the vehicle further.
Mr. Johnson was arraigned in City Court before Judge Richard Koweek and was sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail.
Mr. Thomas was arraigned and jailed in lieu of $35,000 cash bail or $70,000 bond.
*Toney Julius Williams, 28, of Hudson was charged with fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property (valued in excess of $1,000) and first degree criminal possession of a forged instrument by Detective James Delaney, Jr., at 25 Railroad Ave, Hudson, February 4 at 12:29 p.m.
Police say their investigation revealed that Mr. Williams knowingly possessed a stolen Social Security check in the amount of $1,227.40 belonging to a 63-year-old Hudson man.
They say Mr. Williams deposited the check, knowing that the endorsement signature was forged. The incident was reported to detectives May 13, 2010 and occurred April 21, 2010. Assisting in the investigation were agents from the U.S. Postal Service and the Social Security Administration.
Arraigned before Judge Koweek, Mr. Williams was sent to jail without bail.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com