PHILMONT–Patrick N. Hampton, 25, of Philmont was charged with second degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class C felony; third degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D felony (previous conviction weapon possession); second degree menacing, a class A misdemeanor and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, by Sheriff’s deputies, who were called to a Main Street residence, where an altercation was taking place, May 4 at 10:56 a.m.
Mr. Hampton allegedly got into an argument with a 28-year-old woman and pointed a loaded .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun at her face, threatening to shoot her.
The woman was not hurt and no shots were fired, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr.
Deputies took Mr. Hampton into custody without incident. He was previously convicted on a charge of criminal possession of a loaded firearm July 27, 2004 in Schenectady County Court, the sheriff said in the release.
Sergeant Brian Molinski, Deputies Bernard Roberts, Andrew Broockmann and Joshua Oakes and Sheriff’s Office Investigators responded to the scene. State Police assisted.
Mr. Hampton was arraigned in Greenport Court by Town Justice Robert Brenzel and sent to the county jail without bail to return to Philmont Court at a later date.
Greenport
Fire destroyed Jerry’s Garage at 3771 Route 9, Greenport, May 3 at 8:49 p.m. The garage was a fixture in the community for three generations and had closed its doors about nine years ago, according to newsman Lance Wheeler, who photographed the blaze. Garage owner Jeffrey Goldman is also a Greenport firefighter and helped battle the blaze. For more than 50 years the garage was Mr. Goldman’s life. He said the building was up for sale and was not insured. Money from the building sale was going to pay off his debt and help him with a recent divorce settlement, he said. The garage contained tools, lifts, compressors and lubricants used in the vehicle repair business. Greenport firefighters were assisted at the scene by Claverack, Livingston, Churchtown and Germantown. Hudson firefighters stood by in their quarters for Greenport. The Greenport Rescue Squad reported that one firefighter was taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital for treatment of a foot injury. State Police, the Columbia County Fire Coordinators Office and National Grid were on the scene. The county Cause and Origin Team is investigating. Greenport firefighters were back in service at 1:35 a.m. May 4.
Copake
Michael Sherman, 23, of Craryville was charged with criminal possession of stolen property, a class D felony, fleeing a police officer, third degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated, driving without safety belt, crossing road hazard markings, failure to stop at sign, speeding and failure to keep right by Deputies Jason Garvey and Ian Boehme following an investigation into a crash, February 25 at 11:17 p.m.
The deputies were assigned by county 911 to investigate a report of a vehicle off the road in the area of Chrysler Pond Road and County Route 7. They determined that Mr. Sherman, the operator of the vehicle, failed to stop at the intersection of County Routes 7 and 7A, crashed into an earth embankment and hit a stop sign in a vehicle that was reported stolen in Massachusetts. Arraigned in Copake Court by Justice John Spencer, Mr. Sherman was sent to the county jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bail bond. He was scheduled to return to court at a later date.
Chatham
Bonnie Pulver, 46, of Chatham was charged with leaving the scene of a property damage automobile accident, driving while intoxicated, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content greater than .08% and failure to keep right by Deputy Andrew Broockmann following an investigation into a hit and run property damage crash, February 26 at 6:48 p.m.
Deputies say, Ms. Pulver had crossed over the center line of Route 66 while traveling north in the Town of Chatham and struck a 2011 GMC pickup truck operated by Tyler Busa, 24, of Ghent. No one was injured. Ms. Pulver fled the scene and was taken into custody a short time later. She was released to a third party after being issued tickets directing her to answer the charges in Chatham Town Court.
Claverack
Brian Alvarez, 17, of Queens was charged with third degree assault by Livingston State Police Investigator Kelly Taylor, March 15.
An inmate at the Brookwood Secure Facility, the teen allegedly bit a staff member at the facility, breaking the skin. He was released back to Brookwood with an appearance ticket returnable in Claverack Court.
Stockport
An 11-year-old Stockport youth was charged with vandalizing property at the Stottville baseball field March 31, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr.
The Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from Stockport Highway Superintendent Tim Masten that someone had spray painted graffiti on the dugouts and adjacent pump house at the ballfield off Park Place March 21. The cost to repair the damage is about $200. If the boy were an adult, he would be charged with fourth degree criminal mischief, a class A misdemeanor. Deputy Scott Leggett issued the youth a juvenile appearance ticket returnable at the Columbia County Probation Department. He was released to his parents. Investigator Mark Dunspaugh assisted with the case.
Hudson
Three people were charged for their involvement in welfare fraud as a result of an investigation by the Welfare Fraud Task Force March 20 at 8:30 a.m.
Sheriff’s Office Investigator John Rivero, who is assigned to the task force and Deputy Travis VanAlstyne charged:
*Lynda M. Lane, 42, of Catskill with three counts of filing a false written statement, a class a-misdemeanor; one count of first degree filing a false instrument and two counts each of fourth degree welfare fraud and fourth degree grand larceny, both class E felonies.
*Michael E. Smith, 35, and Jenny C. Smith, 29, both of Germantown with one count each of third degree welfare fraud and third degree grand larceny, both class D felonies.
The Smiths allegedly took or obtained public assistance benefits in excess of $3,000 that neither were entitled to by failing to report they were receiving unemployment benefits.
Ms. Lane allegedly filed false documentation stating a child was living within her residence when the child was living elsewhere. She collected public assistance benefits in excess of $3,700.
All the defendants were arraigned in Hudson City Court before Judge John Connor and were released on their own recognizance and slated to return to court at a later date.
Hillsdale
Michael Jardine, Jr., 28, of Ancram was charged with second degree aggravated unlicensed operation (AUO) of a motor vehicle and on two arrest warrants by Deputy David Proper during a traffic stop on State Route 23, March 15 at 7:35 a.m.
The deputy saw Mr. Jardine driving and stopped him because he knew Mr. Jardine was wanted on a Columbia County Family Court arrest warrant. A computer check of his driver’s license revealed that Mr. Jardine’s driving privileges were suspended multiple times. He was issued a ticket to appear in Hillsdale Court on the AUO charge, then arrested on the Family Court warrant, arraigned in Columbia County Family Court and released on his own recognizance. He was then arrested again on an outstanding bench warrant from Greenburgh Town Court in White Plains and turned over to authorities from that jurisdiction for further court action.
Drugs/alcohol
The following face drug- and/or alcohol-related charges:
*Ernest Luciano, 45, of Hudson was charged with failure to keep right, driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content greater than .08% by Deputy Louis Bray and Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Michael Merante during a traffic stop on State Route 66, Greenport, February 18 at 1:50 a.m. He was to answer the charges in Greenport Court.
*Robert J. Coager, 55, of Scotia was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and possessing a controlled substance not in its original container (a Public Health Law Violation) by State Police at Kinderhook during a traffic stop not being in his designated lane of travel, February 18 at 10:30 a.m. An investigation revealed that Mr. Coager was allegedly intoxicated by drugs and was also found to possess a controlled substance drug not in its original container. He was issued tickets returnable in Kinderhook Town Court.
*Christopher Napolitano, 30, of Kinderhook was charged with driving while intoxicated by State Police at Kinderhook during a traffic stop for failure to use designated lane, February 19 at 3 a.m. Troopers detected an odor of alcohol and found Mr. Napolitano unable to perform sobriety tests. He submitted to a breath test resulting in a .15% blood alcohol content. He was and issued tickets returnable in Kinderhook Town Court.
*John V. Cooney, Jr., 51, of Mt. Laurel, NJ, was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicates and other vehicle and traffic violations by State Police at Livingston during a traffic stop on the Taconic State Parkway in Claverack for speeding (84 mph in a 55 mph zone), the evening of February 24. Troopers found Mr. Cooney to be intoxicated. He submitted to a breath test with a .28% blood alcohol content result. He was issued tickets returnable in Claverack Court.
*Brooke Smith, 21, address unavailable, was charged with driving while intoxicated by New Lebanon Troopers John La Plante and Bart Van Buren during a traffic stop on state Route 22, Lebanon Springs, early the morning of February 25. Troopers saw Ms. Smith drive across the white fog line. She subsequently tested at a .14% blood alcohol concentration. She was ticketed to appear in New Lebanon Court.
*James J. Murphy, 49, of Kingston was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and driving while ability impaired by drugs by Livingston State Police, February 23 at 11:30 p.m.
Mr. Murphy was stopped for failing to signal on Mt. Merino Road, Greenport. He could not perform field sobriety tests and was found to allegedly possess cocaine and heroin. He was issued tickets returnable in Greenport Court.
