Author: Kipp Goodman

The Seneca County Sheriffs Office reports that on November 8th 2021 Deputies arrested James Hightower, 53 years old, of Rochester on an Arrest Warrant. The Warrant was issued by the Town of Waterloo Court when Hightower failed to adhere to a Court Ordered mandate. Hightower was transported to the Seneca County Law Enforcement Center for Centralized Arraignment. Hightower was released on his own recognizance and is to appear in the Town of Waterloo Court at a later date. Seneca County Deputies we’re assisted by the Irondequoit Police Department with locating Hightower.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports on 11/04/21 at 12:25 pm Deputies arrested Nathan E. Lewis and Michelle L. Lewis, both age 30 of Waterloo, for Petit Larceny and Conspiracy. The arrest stems from several complaints of an array of larcenies from roadside local stands where it is alleged cashboxes, cash and products have been stolen. It is alleged Nathan and Michelle agreed to both engage in conduct constituting a crime in the Town of Covert. Both were arrested and released on appearance tickets and are due to appear in the Town of Covert Court 12/6/21 at 9:00 am.

Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on 10/27/21 at approx. 1800hrs deputies arrested Lisa M Leonard, 32 of Seneca Falls for Aggravated harassment 2nd degree a class A misdemeanor. The arrest stems from a complaint where it is alleged that Leonard sent a victim threatening voice messages. Leonard was arraigned at CAP court and ROR’ed. A class B order of protection was issued protecting the victim. Leonard is to reappear in the Town of Waterloo Court on 11/24/21 at 1900hrs to answer to the charge.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on October 30th 2021 around 1:08am, Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Thomas A. Sorci 39 Of Interlaken NY for Driving While Intoxicated. The arrest stems from vehicle and traffic complaint that was reported by another motorist reporting that the vehicle Sorci was operating was all over the road. Deputies located the 2008 Dodge Ram traveling northbound on State Route 89. Deputies observed Sorci’s pickup swerving in and out of the northbound lane. The investigation determined that Sorci was operating while intoxicated. He was processed, released, and is to appear in Romulus Town Court on November 16th 2021 at 10:00am. Sorci was charged with Failing to Keep right and Driving While Intoxicated.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Friday October 29th 2021 at around 2:40 pm Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested 34 year old Gregory J. Smith of 1299 State Route 336 in the Town of Fayette NY following a Traffic Stop. It was reported that Deputies had prior knowledge that Smith had a revoked NYS driver’s license and was observed operating a motor vehicle in the area of State Route 336 in the Town of Fayette. A traffic stop was initiated, Deputies reported that Smith appeared to be intoxicated and failed Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. Smith was taken into custody and charged with Felony DWI for having prior DWI Convictions within the past 10 years, Felony DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater and Felony Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the First Degree. Smith was taken to the Centralized Arraignment Court and was released on his own recognizance and will appear in the Town of Fayette on a later date to answer to the charges.

The Seneca County Office reports that on October 25, 2021, Seneca County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Steven Johnson, Age 45, in the Town of Ovid at 3:32 pm. Johnson had several warrants and pending charges.
On 10/07/2021 there was a report of a Domestic where Johnson was charged with Criminal Contempt 2nd (Class A Misdemeanor), Criminal Mischief 4th (Class A Misdemeanor) and Petit Larceny (Class A Misdemeanor). These charges stem from an incident where it is alleged that Johnson Damaged and stole property from a person who he has an order of protection with.
On 10/08/21 there was a report of a Domestic incident where Johnson was charged with Burglary 2nd (Class C Felony), Criminal Contempt 2nd (Class A Misdemeanor) and Criminal Mischief 4th (Class A Misdemeanor). These charges stem from an incident where it is alleged that Johnson broke into a residence that is occupied by a person that he has an order of protection with.
On 10/11/2021 there was a report of a Domestic where Johnson was charged with Criminal Contempt 2nd (Class A Misdemeanor) and Aggravated Harassment 2nd (Class A Misdemeanor). It is alleged that Johnson communicated with a party that he has an order of protection with.
On 10/24/2021 Deputies report that while trying to locate Johnson for outstanding warrants, they found him at a residence where he had an order of protection with a party present. Johnson fled the scene and was charged with Criminal Contempt 1st (Class E Felony), Harassment 1st (Class A Misdemeanor), Unlawful imprisonment (Class A Misdemeanor), Obstructing Government Administration (Class A Misdemeanor) and Resisting Arrest (Class A Misdemeanor).
On 10/25/2021 Seneca County Deputies responded to Ovid to Search for Mr. Johnson. At 3: 32pm Johnson was taken into Custody by the Sheriff’s Office. During this arrest Johnson was also charged with Resisting Arrest (Class A Misdemeanor). Seneca County Criminal Investigation Division, New York State Police (including Bureau of Investigation and New York State Police K9) assisted with this search and arrest.
Johnson was held at the Seneca County Correctional Facility to await arraignment for the charges and Warrants.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports 10/25/21 at 2:06 PM Deputies arrested Grace H. Rotondo, age 22 of Waterloo, for Grand Larceny in the Forth Degree. It is alleged over the course of at least a three week period Rotondo stole $1,671.29 worth of cash and cigarette’s from her place of employment. Rotondo was arrested, released on an appearance ticket and is due to appear in the Town of Waterloo Court 11/10/21 at 5:00 PM.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports 10/25/21 at 2:06 PM Deputies arrested Grace H. Rotondo, age 22 of Waterloo, for Grand Larceny in the Forth Degree. It is alleged over the course of at least a three week period Rotondo stole $1,671.29 worth of cash and cigarette’s from her place of employment. Rotondo was arrested, released on an appearance ticket, and is due to appear in the Town of Waterloo Court 11/10/21 at 5:00 PM.

Sheriff Luce reports that on Saturday October 23rd 2021 at around 8:40 Pm Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested 23 year old Joseph R Bowers of 8300 North Main Street Interlaken NY following a Traffic Stop. It was reported that Deputies observed a motor vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed north bound on State Route 414 just outside the village of Ovid. A traffic stop was initiated, Deputies reported that Bowers appeared to be intoxicated and failed Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. Bowers was taken into custody and charged with DWI, Aggravated DWI with a BAC of .22 over twice the legal limit and speeding in a posted 55 mph zone. Bowers was issued an appearance ticket along with traffic tickets and is to appear in the Town of Ovid Court on a later date to answer the charges.

Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on 10/18/21 at approx. 2109 hrs. Deputies arrested Richard D Fairbanks, 49 of Kirkville NY on harassment 2nd a violation. The arrests stems from a domestic complaint in the Town of Tyre. It is alleged that Fairbanks struck a female in the face during a domestic dispute. Fairbanks was transported to the Seneca County jail where he was arraigned in CAP court. Fairbanks was ROR’ed and a Class A order of protection was issued protecting the victim. Fairbanks is to reappear in the Town of Tyre on 11/10/21 At 1600hrs to answer to the charges. Seneca County Deputies were assisted by the NYSP.