GERMANTOWN—The treasurer of a Cub Scout pack was charged with forging checks amounting to just over $1,500.
Jenny C. Smith, 32, of Elizaville was charged with second degree forgery, a class D felony, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett.
On April 3, 2014, the Sheriff’s Office was notified that checks were being made out to cash and drawn from the Germantown Cub Scout Pack 115 checking account. One of the authorized signer’s names was being forged on the checks, which required two signatures.
During an investigation, it was discovered that Ms. Smith was the treasurer for Pack 115 when the checks were forged.
The first forged check occurred in December 2012 and forgeries continued through November 2013. It is alleged that Ms. Smith forged the checks to benefit herself and the total amount of money taken from the account was $1,516.
She was arrested June 14, 2014 at 12:13pm by Sergeant Eli Fieser. Arraigned in Germantown Court before Justice Robert Beaury, she was released on her own recognizance. The case will be transferred to Columbia County Court.
The Columbia County District Attorney’s Office assisted in this investigation.
Kinderhook
Shannon Lee Rose, 41, of Castleton was charged with second degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, a class D felony, by State Police investigators from Livingston, June 19.
Investigators determined that Ms. Rose allegedly possessed and issued forged checks belonging to another person. She was arraigned in Greenport Court before Justice Robert Brenzel and was released on her own recognizance to reappear in Kinderhook Town Court at a later date.
Hillsdale
Columbia County 911 dispatched Sheriff’s deputies to a two-vehicle accident on State Route 23, just west of Bushnell Road, June 22 at 3:53 p.m., according to a press release from Sheriff David P. Bartlett.
Deputies found that a 2014 Chevrolet Impala operated by James Dargan, 82, of West Camp was traveling west on State Route 23 when for an unknown reason, it crossed into the eastbound lane and struck a 1999 International dump truck, which was traveling eastbound.
The truck was operated by Gary Swart, Sr., 64, of Hillsdale, who was taken to Albany Medical Center for chest pain. Mr. Dargan was taken by helicopter to Albany Medical Center for internal injuries. Three passengers in the Dargan vehicle, Margaret Dargan, 77; Anthony Semento, 75; and Doris Semento, 78, were all taken to Albany Medical Center by ambulance for neck and back injuries.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
The Community Rescue Squad, Greenport Rescue Squad, Northern Dutchess Paramedics, Hillsdale Fire Company, Craryville Fire Company and Copake Fire Company all assisted at the scene.
Investigating for the Sheriff’s Office are Captain John DeRocha, Investigator Mark Dunspaugh, Sergeant Eli Fieser and Deputy Thomas Merante.
Newsman Lance Wheeler, who photographed the accident scene, said in attempting to avoid the head-on collision, the truck veered right, flipped over and took out four power poles, which ignited a grass fire near the road.
Gallatin
Carl C. Delfino, 27, of Rhinebeck was charged with fourth degree criminal mischief, a class A misdemeanor, by Deputies Peter Grzeskow and Ted Blank, June 7 at 7:54 p.m.
Mr. Delfino is accused of intentionally damaging an iPhone by smashing it on the ground at a private residence in Gallatin. He was arraigned in Clermont Court and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail. He was scheduled to appear in Gallatin Court at a later date.
Mr. Delfino was subsequently charged with second degree criminal contempt, a class A misdemeanor, by Deputy Grzeskow and Sergeant Brian Molinski, June 17 at 4 p.m. Mr. Delfino allegedly violated an order of protection. He was arraigned in Gallatin Court and released on his own recognizance with a later return court date.
Stockport
Gregory J. Bleau, 28, of Stuyvesant was charged with second degree criminal contempt, a class A misdemeanor, by Deputies Thomas Bagnall and Peter Merante, June 9 at 11 p.m.
Mr. Bleau is accused of violating an order of protection. He was arraigned in Stockport Court and released on his own recognizance to return at a later date.
Drugs/alcohol
The following face drug- and/or alcohol-related charges:
*Catherine J. Lynch, 43, of Lebanon Springs was charge4d with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, driving while intoxicated and unlawful possession of marijuana by State Police from Livingston, June 8 at 10:20 p.m. Troopers went to State Route 20, New Lebanon after Columbia County 911 issued an erratic driver alert. A vehicle matching the description in the alert was stopped and Ms. Lynch was driving. During an interview, she allegedly exhibited clues indicating she was intoxicated. Subsequently, troopers found she was allegedly in possession of cocaine and marijuana. She provided a breath sample that yielded a blood alcohol content of .16%. She was issued tickets ordering her to appear in New Lebanon Court at a later date.
•Steven J. Sherman, 22, of Ancram was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, by State Police from Livingston, June 10 at 3:35 a.m. Troopers stopped the vehicle Mr. Sherman was operating in Ancram for equipment violations. During an interview, Mr. Sherman appeared intoxicated. He provided a breath sample that yielded a blood alcohol content of .18%, more than two times the legal limit. He was issued traffic tickets ordering him to appear in Ancram Court at a later date.
*Roberto J. Guerrero, 19, of Chatham was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, by State Police from Livingston, June 12 at 2:04 p.m. During their investigation into an accident on State Route 295 in Chatham, troopers found that the vehicle driven by Mr. Guerrero went off the road after it struck a guiderail and that he was intoxicated at the time of the crash. He provided a breath sample that yielded a .10% blood alcohol content. He was issued tickets ordering him to appear in Chatham Town Court at a later date.
*Rita M. Wood, 25, of Stockport was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and possession of a hypodermic instrument, both misdemeanors, by State Police from Livingston, June 20 at 10:50 p.m. Troopers stopped the car Ms. Wood was operating on State Route 9 in Stockport for speeding. Subsequently, she was found to be in possession of heroin and hypodermic needles. A passenger in the vehicle, Nicholas W. Distano, 29, of Stephentown was also charged with possession of a hypodermic instrument and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Both subjects were released and ordered to appear in Stockport Court June 30.
*Barry S. Knights, 49, of Kinderhook was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, by State Police from New Lebanon, June 22 at 8:43 p.m. Troopers were called investigate a dispute in Kinderhook Village. The complainant alleged that she was having a verbal argument with Mr. Knights and then he left her residence in his vehicle. While police interviewed her, Mr. Knights returned to the scene driving his vehicle. An investigation revealed that he was driving while intoxicated. He provided a breath sample yielding a .13% blood alcohol content. He was issued tickets ordering him to appear in Kinderhook Village Court June 30.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com.
Two pumps pay price
GERMANTOWN—In separate accidents June 8 and 9, firefighters and police were called out when two gas station pumps were inadvertently victimized by cars.
A car hit and knocked over a gas pump at the Germantown Sunoco gas station/convenience store, 4297 Route 9G, June 8 at 3:47 p.m. Germantown firefighters and Northern Dutchess Paramedics were called to the scene after the store manager reported that a woman, who had been pumping gas at the station, for some reason ran over the gas pump.
Germantown First Assistant Fire Chief Doug Pearson told newsman Lance Wheeler that the impact sent the pump into the corner of the building, which ignited when fumes and gas spilled out of the pump. Town Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Tom Fieser said that the pumps had recently been upgraded but the fire suppression system was not reinstalled. State Police are investigating. Damage was limited to the pump and the exterior of the building. The woman refused medical treatment. Firefighters were back in service at FD in service 4:58 p.m.
The following morning, June 9 at 10:37 a.m., Greenport firefighters were called to the Gulf Station at 160 Fairview Avenue when a car backed into a gas pump there. Fire officials reported that a small fire that was put out with an extinguisher before firefighters arrived. The Greenport building inspector was called in and Greenport Police investigated. Firefighters were back in service 11:28 a.m. –Diane Valden
