Author: John Cleere

SENECA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

MONTHLY SNAPSHOT FOR FEBRUARY 2023

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

Total Calls For Service: 2038

Total Arrests: 65  

D.H.S. Fraud Cases: 10 ; Yearly Total Cost Recouped:  $62,426

Mental Health Calls: 3

NARCO:

Total new drug cases: 10

Total arrests: 14

CORRECTIONS:

Average Number of Inmates: 33

Transports: 46     

CIVIL:

Total Summons/Complaints/Services: 22

Total Income Executions: 23

Total Evictions: 5

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH:

February 1^st, 2023: Deputies responded to an assault in progress in Ovid. A suspect was taken into

custody without incident.

February 2^nd, 2023: NARCO arrested a suspect for allegedly possessing crack cocaine.

February 9^th, 2023: Deputies executed a bench warrant for failing to appear on an unauthorized use of a vehicle charge in Romulus.

February 17^th, 2023: A serious domestic violence case in Lodi resulted in numerous felony charges. It is alleged that the suspect broke into a residence twice, assaulted a person and stole property.

February 24^th, 2023: A fatal car accident occurred on Route 89 in Covert when a car left the road and crashed into a deep gully with a stream in the bottom. One person was killed and 3 injured in this devastating event. Investigators have determined that the root cause was a distracted driver.

February 2023: The DHS fraud Unit and Investigators made arrests of 3 persons on separate fraud cases. Charges totaled 4 felonies and 1 misdemeanor.

Sheriff W. Timothy Luce, Undersheriff John Cleere

Travel Advisory – No Unnecessary Travel

Description:

Seneca County Sheriff Timothy Luce has issued a No Unnecessary Travel Advisory. This travel advisory is issued as a result of the National Weather Service’s Winter Storm Warning for Seneca County.

This No Unnecessary Travel Advisory is in effect until further notice. This travel advisory does not restrict travel. It is, however, a warning to motorists that hazardous driving conditions may exist. This advisory will be canceled when the winter storm has moved out of the area and road conditions have improved.

Significant amounts of snow are still expected to fall throughout Seneca County overnight and tomorrow which will make travel dangerous. With the effect of the higher winds drifting on the North-South roads in the County have made travel dangerous. County Highway crews are working to clear roads. For the safety of all residents, the general public is encouraged to consider the need to be on the roads during these times. Please use extreme caution, lower your speeds while traveling in or around Seneca County.

This advisory is in cooperation and partnership with Seneca County’s Emergency Management Director Melissa Taylor and Highway Superintendent Roy Gates.

On March 10, 2023, at about 3:30pm, Seneca County Sheriff’s Investigators arrested Preston W. Fullerton, Sr., age 43, of 797 Kime Road, Geneva, New York, on charges of Strangulation in the Second Degree and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. It is alleged that Fullerton subjected three children to physical abuse over a period of time. It is further alleged that he restricted the airway of one of the children during one incident. Fullerton was arraigned in the Seneca County Centralized Arraignment Court and released to pre-trial supervision. Orders of protection were issued on behalf of the victims. Fullerton is to reappear in the Fayette Town Court at a later date.

SENECA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

MONTHLY SNAPSHOT FOR DECEMBER 2022

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

Total Calls For Service: 2424

Total Arrests: 53  

D.H.S. Fraud Cases: 13; Yearly Total Cost Recouped:  $139,099.18

Mental Health Calls: 12

NARCO:

Total new drug cases: 8

Total arrests: 3

CORRECTIONS:

Average Number of Inmates: 30

Transports: 46     

CIVIL:

Total Summons/Complaints/Services: 25

Total Income Executions: 13

Total Evictions: 6

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH:

December 3^rd, 2022: Deputies conducted the annual “Shop With a Sheriff” program and took 10 children Christmas shopping.

December 16^th 2022: Deputies responded with firefighters to a truck fire on Waterloo. The fire caused about $50,000 in damages and was determined to be accidental.

December 30^th, 2022: Investigators responded to a burglary at a Waterloo business. After investigation, stolen property was recovered and 2 suspects were charged.

December 30^th, 2022: Deputies responded to a domestic violence incident in Waterloo that allegedly turned physical. A suspect was charged for harassment and criminal mischief.

December 2022: Mental Health Workers and Corrections Officers conducted the Sheriff’s Christmas Angel program. Presents were obtained and delivered to 16 children who had a parent in jail. The presents were sent in the name of the eligible parent.  

December 2022: The high price of eggs is not a problem at the jail. Inmates are raising egg-laying chickens producing about 50 eggs per week that are used in preparing meals for the inmates.    

Sheriff W. Timothy Luce

Undersheriff John Cleere

***UPDATE*** Previous phone number listed was incorrect. Correct phone # is listed below.

The new gun laws in New York can be confusing and are constantly in flux with ongoing Court challenges. To assist Seneca County businesses and citizens Sheriff Tim Luce has made laminated signs available to Seneca County businesses who support lawful concealed carry on their premises. The signs are free of charge and available by calling or emailing Danielle Thompson at 315-220-3403 dthompson@co.seneca.ny.us. Signs can be picked up or delivered.

The new gun laws in New York can be confusing and are constantly in flux with ongoing Court challenges. To assist Seneca County businesses and citizens Sheriff Tim Luce has made laminated signs available to Seneca County businesses who support lawful concealed carry on their premises. The signs are free of charge and available by calling or emailing Danielle Thompson at 315-220-3403 dthompson@co.seneca.ny.us. Signs can be picked up or delivered.

SENECA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

MONTHLY SNAPSHOT FOR OCTOBER 2022

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

Total Calls For Service: 1477

Total Arrests: 54  

D.H.S. Fraud Cases: 4; Yearly Total Cost Recouped:  $128,525.18

Mental Health Calls: 20

NARCO:

Total new drug cases: 6

Total arrests: 10

CORRECTIONS:

Average Number of Inmates: 28

Transports: 68     

CIVIL:

Total Summons/Complaints/Services: 25

Total Income Executions: 20

Total Evictions: 8

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH:

October 2^nd, 2022: Pheasants raised by inmates at the jail were released into the wild. 50 pheasants were raised this year.

October 4th, 2022: Deputies responded to a dispute with a gun involved in Waterloo. A suspect was charged with menacing and the gun was safely recovered.

October 13^th, 2022: Deputies responded to a fatal car accident on State Route 318, Town of Tyre. Investigators and accident reconstruction were deployed. The case is still open.

October 21^st, 2022: Officers responded to a fight in Tyre. A suspect was charged with assault and resisting arrest.

October 24^th, 2022: NARCO charged 2 suspects in Waterloo during a cocaine sale investigation. $11,000 cash and 30 grams of crack cocaine were seized.  

October 24^th, 2022: Investigators charged a 33 year old suspect in Covert for allegedly disseminating indecent material to a 16 year old victim.

October 28^th, 2022: NARCO recovered a 50 caliber assault weapon possessed in violation of an Order of Protection in Ovid.

Sheriff W. Timothy Luce, Undersheriff John Cleere

^{On Saturday, October 29th, 2022, 10am to 2pm, Seneca County Police Agencies will be partnering with the DEA and the Seneca County Substance Abuse Coalition, to  conduct a DRUG TAKE BACK DAY in  Seneca County. Officers will be at 3 different locations to collect potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction. This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked and no paperwork to complete.}

^{Seneca Falls Police Department will be at Kinney: Rt. 5&20 Seneca Falls.}

^{Waterloo Police Department will be at Walgreens: 1929 Rt. 5&20 Waterloo.}

^{Seneca County Sheriff’s Office will be at Kinney 7115 North Main St. Ovid.}

^{Police Officers and members from the Seneca County Substance Abuse Coalition will also be available to answer questions and provide helpful information about substance abuse if so desired. Gun Safety Locks will be available at all locations. There will be The sites cannot accept liquids, needles or other sharps—only pills or patches please!}

Sheriff Tim Luce has announced that the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office will be holding its annual Citizen’s Police Academy this November. The purpose of the academy is to give the citizens of Seneca County a better understanding about law enforcement and how the Sheriff’s Office operates within the community.

The academy will consist of four Wednesday night sessions: November 2^nd, 9th, 16th, and 30th, 2022. Sessions will begin at 6:00 PM  and last until approximately 9:00 PM. Each session will focus on a different division of the Sheriff’s Office and give an inside look at Administration, Road Patrol, Investigations and Corrections. Classroom and hands-on activities will be conducted by the professionals who do the job.

Candidates that complete the program will be scheduled for an optional ride-a-long with a Deputy, receive a certificate of completion, and a t-shirt.

Candidates must be able to attend all four sessions. Anyone that is interested can contact Danielle Thompson at 315-220-3403. Or email dthompson@co.seneca.ny.us.  A light background check will be conducted on all interested candidates.

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, a resident of Seneca County, and also have a genuine interest in good citizenship. There are no physical requirements, only a desire to learn.

The academy class size will be kept small to maximize the experience. Eligible applicants that do not make this academy will be considered for future academies.

SENECA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

MONTHLY SNAPSHOT FOR AUGUST 2022

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

Total Calls For Service: 1278

Total Arrests: 49  

D.H.S. Fraud Cases: 10  Yearly Total Cost Recouped:  $102,283.18

Mental Health Calls: 16

NARCO:

Total new drug cases: 9

Total arrests: 15

CORRECTIONS:

Average Number of Inmates: 22

Transports: 69     

CIVIL:

Total Summons/Complaints/Services: 33

Total Income Executions: 25

Total Evictions: 5

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH:

August 3^rd, 2022: CR 124 in Varick was shut down for about 2 hours when the Cayuga Indian Nation demolished a residence. Deputies maintained the peace during this volatile event.

August 4^th, 2022: Deputies investigating a Domestic Violence case in Waterloo seized a shotgun allegedly possessed by a convicted felon involved.

August 7^th, 2022: A Lodi man was charged with aggravated harassment by deputies after he allegedly threatened a victim and property over the phone.

August 10^th, 2022: A suspect was charged with Criminal Mischief for allegedly damaging property at a Waterloo business.

August 11^th, 2022: NARCO executed a search warrant in Lodi and made a significant cocaine bust. A suspect was charged with multiple felonies and over 5 ounces of cocaine were seized.

August 15^th, 2022: Deputies and Investigators responded to a serious 2 day Domestic violence case in Fayette. A victim sustained injuries after being threatened with a knife and held against her will. The suspect was safely taken into custody and charged with multiple crimes.   

Sheriff W. Timothy Luce

Undersheriff John Cleere