Author: Timothy Thompson

On March 28, 2023, at about 12:45pm, Seneca County Sheriff’s Investigators arrested Megan C. Hackett, age 29, of 7567 Rock River Road, Ovid, New York, on charges of Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree, Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, and Misuse of Food Stamps. It is alleged that Hackett failed to disclose household income while receiving monetary benefits from Seneca County. Hackett was released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Waterloo Town Court on April 5, 2023, at 5pm.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on March 23, 2023, at about 4:30 pm, Investigators arrested Sierra L. Peters, age 26, of 104 East Main Street, Waterloo, New York, on charges of Misuse of Food Stamps and Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree. It is alleged that Peters failed to disclose household income while receiving monetary benefits from Seneca County. Peters was released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Waterloo Town Court at a later date.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports, on March 22, 2023, at approximately 1PM, members of the Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at 66 Stark Street in the Village of Waterloo. Upon execution of the search warrant, the following individuals were arrested:

Brian E. MacGill, age 49, was charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. It is alleged that MacGill possessed cocaine with the intent to sell it and an illegal knife.

Kristie L. Pontius, age 46, was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree and two counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the second degree. It is alleged that Pontius possessed crack cocaine with the intent to sell it, digital scales, and packaging material.

Mark P. Pontius, age 59, , was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree and two counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the second degree. It is alleged that Pontius also possessed crack cocaine with the intent to sell it, digital scales, and packaging material.

Investigators also seized United States currency and an illegally possessed rhinoceros horn. Investigators are working closely with members of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in regards to the possession of the horn. Sheriff’s Office members were assisted by the following agencies: Waterloo Village Police Department, Seneca Falls Police Department, Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Geneva Police Department, Canandaigua Police Department, and New York State Police.

All suspects were arraigned at CAP and are scheduled to appear back in court at a later date.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports, on March 14th 2023, Investigators arrested Seth R. Taylor, age 19 of Seneca Falls, NY. Taylor was charged with Misuse of Food Stamps and Welfare Fraud in the fourth degree. It is alleged that Taylor received benefits that he was not entitled to due to him working and not reporting the income. Taylor was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Waterloo Court at a later date.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on March 17, 2023, at about 2:10pm, Investigators arrested Darlene H. Humby, age 46, of Seneca Falls, New York, on charges of Misuse of Food Stamps and two counts of Petit Larceny. It is alleged that Humby allowed another person to use her SNAP benefits in exchange for payment. Humby was released on an appearance ticket and is to appear in the Waterloo Town Court at a later date.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports, on March 9th, 2023 at approximately 5PM, Investigators arrested Cody I. Shannon, age 21 of Waterloo, New York. Shannon was charged with one count of Assault in the second degree. The arrest stems from an investigation in to a disturbance at a local business in the Town Tyre. It is alleged that Shannon struck a male in the face multiple times which caused fractured bones and wounds that required stitches. A second male involved in the altercation, Malik S. Perry, age 22, of Seneca Falls, NY was also charged with Assault in the second degree on March 15th, 2023. It is further alleged that Perry struck the same male in the face causing unconsciousness. Both Perry and Shannon were arraigned at CAP. They were released on their own recognizance and are scheduled to appear at the Town of Tyre Court at a later date. An order of protection was requested on behalf of the victim.

On March 7, 2023, at about 1:51pm, Seneca County Sheriff’s Investigators arrested Nicole G. Heidemann, age 42, and Michael R. Kushaney, age 39, both of 1326 West Townline Road, Phelps, New York, on a charge of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. It is alleged that Heidemann and Kushaney subjected a child to an unsafe environment that led to the child ingesting illicit drugs. The child was initially transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by North Seneca Ambulance and has since fully recovered. Both Heidemann and Kushaney were issued an appearance ticket to appear in the Junius Town Court on March 16, 2023, at 7pm. Sheriff’s Investigators are working closely with Seneca County Child Protective Services.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on March 3rd, 2023, at about 11:15 a.m., Investigators charged current Seneca County Jail inmate, James L. Dyer, age 37, of Seneca Falls, New York, with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree and Promoting Prison Contraband in the First Degree. It is alleged that Dyer was in possession of fentanyl while being processed into the Seneca County Correctional Facility. Dyer was arraigned at the Seneca County CAP Court on March 3, 2023. Dyer was remanded into the custody of the Seneca County Correctional Facility and will answer the charges at a later date.

Seneca County Sheriff W. Timothy Luce reports a one car motor vehicle accident occurred on February 24, 2023, at about 5:33pm, in the area of State Route 89 and Frontenac Road in the Town of Covert. The vehicle, a 2008 Chevrolet Impala, was northbound on Route 89 when it suddenly left the east shoulder striking a culvert and multiple trees. The vehicle ultimately came to rest at the bottom of a deep embankment where it landed in a small body of water. The driver, Kymbra M. McLaughlin, age 45, of 600 Warren Road, Apartment 61F, Ithaca, New York, suffered an extensive hand injury and was transported to Upstate Medical Center by Trumansburg Ambulance. A passenger in the vehicle, Ellamae McLaughlin, age 9, suffered extensive injuries and was transported to Cayuga Medical Center by Trumansburg Ambulance where she later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead. Two other passengers in the vehicle, Makaila B. McLaughlin, age 12, and Isabella C. Cotto, age 12, suffered minor injuries and were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by South Seneca Ambulance. The vehicle was demolished and was towed from the scene.

The Trumansburg Fire Department, Interlaken Fire Department, Ithaca Fire Department, and Ovid Fire Department also responded to the scene. Rescue efforts were extremely challenging and rope rescue teams were deployed to the scene. The Sheriff’s Office was additionally assisted by the New York State Police and the Seneca County E-911 Center.

The accident remains under investigation and anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Lieutenant Thompson at (315) 220-3449.

Seneca County Sheriff W. Timothy Luce reports that his agency is investigating a serious personal injury motor vehicle accident that occurred on February 24, 2023, at about 5:33pm in the area of State Route 89 and Frontenac Road in the Town of Covert. The road was closed for about four hours as Sheriff’s Deputies and Sheriff’s Investigators reconstructed the scene. Several area Fire Departments and Ambulances also responded to the scene.

The accident remains under investigation and further details are forthcoming.

Anyone that may have witnessed the accident or may have information is encouraged to contact Lt. Thompson at (315) 220-3449.