Category: Press Release

On May 31st, 2023, members of the Narcotics Unit arrested Jonathon Clausell-Herrera and charged him with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree and one count of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the second degree. A lab analysis of the white substance located pursuant to the search warrant on April 11th was identified as cocaine. Clausell-Herrera allegedly possessed cocaine with the intent to sell it and also a digital scale used for the weighing of the narcotics. Clausell-Herrera was arraigned in Seneca County Court where he remains released upon his own recognizance.

On 05/31/2023 at about 2:00 PM a woman received a phone call while at her workplace in the Town of Romulus. The caller identified herself as the woman’s daughter and spoke in the daughter’s voice. The caller sounded very upset and said that she had been in an accident and had a broken nose. The caller said that she was under arrest and needed bail money or was going to jail. The woman receiving the call stated that it sounded exactly like her daughter and even mentioned her daughter’s boyfriend’s correct name.  The caller asked the victim not to call her boyfriend as she wanted to give him the news face to face. A man then got in the phone and identified himself as police officer Daniel Harris. Harris explained that the bail was $9500 and that the charges were texting while driving and reckless endangerment. He said that her daughter rear-ended a pregnant driver.

The victim stated that she could not pay $9500. The bogus police officer stated that the public defender could get the bail lowered and asked how much she could afford. The victim was to call back with the amount she could pay and instead spoke with the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office.

This call has been confirmed as a scam. The scammer is suspected of pulling an audio sample and personal information from social media to be used in constructing the call. Several red flags were present that the public should be aware of:

1. The charges reported were not eligible for bail under New York State’s Bail Reform.
2. The number was from a 646 area code which is a Manhattan NY area code.    
3.  It is highly irregular for a police officer to be negotiating bail.
4. The caller did not want her to call the boyfriend—(the boyfriend could have confirmed that the woman’s daughter was okay and not involved in the accident.   

Scammers count on a parent, grandparent or other family member to be emotionally upset enough not to question the validity of the call. With computer software easily available to copy and mimic any voice these types of scams are expected to continue.  

We are asking the public to be aware and spread the word about these despicable scams. Never send money or give bank account or credit card info to anyone without 100% confirmation. If there is ever any doubt, contact local law enforcement before you send any money or give any personal information. In this case the woman receiving the call saved herself a lot of money by having it checked out.

           For Immediate Release                                                                   

Seneca County to Participate in Statewide STOP-DWI

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

“High Visibility Engagement Campaign”

STOP-DWI Impaired Driving High Visibility Engagement Campaign runs

Seneca County Stop DWI Coordinator announced today that Seneca County police agencies will participate in special efforts to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving.

The statewide STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign will start on May 26, 2023, and will end on May 30, 2023. Memorial Day is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year and marks the official start of summer.  New York State Police, County Sheriff’s Deputies, and municipal law enforcement agencies and local STOP-DWI Programs will collaborate across the state and will be out in force in this coordinated effort to reduce the number of impaired driving-related injuries and deaths.

**(Sheriff Luce says make a plan, please don’t drink and drive.)

The STOP-DWI Memorial Day Weekend High Visibility Engagement Campaign is one of many statewide initiatives promoted by STOP-DWI NY and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.  The Statewide STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign also targets the 4^th of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Holiday Season, Super Bowl weekend and St. Patrick’s Day.

Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.

You can help to make a difference by Having a Sober Plan!  Download our mobile app – “Have a Plan” and you will always be able to find a safe ride home www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp  Impaired driving is completely preventable.  All it takes is a little planning.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on May 8, 2023 at 7:35pm, Seneca County Deputies arrested Mathew G Whitney, age 48 of Romulus, NY. Deputies report that Whitney was charged with Criminal Mischief 4th (Class A Misdemeanor), Unlawful Imprisonment 2nd (Class A Misdemeanor) and Harassment 2nd (violation).
The arrest stems from a call where Whitley allegedly held a female down against her will and took her phone away so she could not call 911. Whitney was transported the Seneca County Correctional facility for Pre-arraignment holding.

The Seneca County Sheriff’ Office reports that on 05/15/2023 at 7:37 PM in the Town of Fayette, Sheriffs Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of RTE 96 and West river road for a vehicle operating with an expired inspection. After further investigation, the driver Michael Iversen 44, of Stanley NY, was arrested for driving while intoxicated, aggravated Driving while intoxicated with a child less then fifteen in the vehicle, and aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree. lversen was taken to the Seneca County Correctional facility to await CAP court.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on May 10, 2023, at about 3:00 pm, Investigators arrested Carl Bond, age 35, of Auburn, New York, on a charge of Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree. The charge stems from an incident where Bond allegedly trespassed at a residence in the Town of Tyre. Bond is to appear in the Town of Tyre Court at a later date.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports an Ithaca man sustained minors injuries following an accident in the Town of Covert. On 05/13/2022 at about 00:10 deputies responded to the area of St Rte. 89 and Kingtown Rd in the Town of Covert for the reported one car roll over. Deputies report Michael M. Polk, age 28 of Ithaca NY, was traveling southbound on St Rte. 89 when his vehicle left the roadway. The vehicle then struck a culvert and rolled multiple times before coming to rest on its side. Trumansburg Ambulance responded and transported Polk to the Cayuga Medical Center where he was treated for minor injuries. The cause of the accident was determined to be driver inattention. Polk was issued Uniformed Traffic Tickets and is due back in court in June. The vehicle was a total loss and was towed from the scene. Deputies were assisted on scene by the Trumansburg Fire Department.

   SENECA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

MONTHLY SNAPSHOT FOR APRIL 2023

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

Total Calls For Service: 1923

Total Arrests: 43  

D.H.S. Fraud Cases: 10; Yearly Total Cost Recouped:  $125,976

Mental Health Calls: 14

NARCO:

Total new drug cases: 13

Total arrests: 8

CORRECTIONS:

Average Number of Inmates: 27

Transports: 58     

CIVIL:

Total Summons/Complaints/Services: 24

Total Income Executions: 14

Total Evictions: 4

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH:

April 3^rd, 2023: Deputies responded to a Domestic Violence call in Interlaken. The aggressor was charged for allegedly strangling a victim.

April 6^th, 2023: Deputies responded to a Domestic Violence case in Waterloo involving a knife assault. Arrests were made for assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

April 11^th, 2023: NARCO executed a search warrant in Waterloo that netted an unregistered handgun, $6000 in cash and suspected drugs. Two suspects were arrested.

April 14^th, 2023: Investigators charged an adult suspect with impersonation and endangering after investigating inappropriate text messages received by underage females.

April 19^th, 2023: NARCO charged 2 suspects for allegedly possessing methamphetamine in Waterloo.

April 20^th, 2023: The SCSO held their annual awards ceremony. Deputy James Picchi received the Officer of the year award. Investigators received a Unit Citation for the handling of a homicide.

April 2023: Welfare fraud investigations in April resulted in 3 persons being charged for a total of 4 misdemeanors and 4 felonies.

Sheriff W. Timothy Luce / Undersheriff John Cleere

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on May 10, 2023, at about 3:00 pm, Investigators arrested Carl M. Bond, age 35, and Robert E. Martin, age 40, both of Auburn, New York, following an investigation into a report of a trespass and larceny at a Town of Tyre residence. It is alleged that Bond and Martin trespassed at a residential property and stole property. Following the investigation, both Bond and Martin were subsequently charged with Criminal Trespass in the third degree, Petit Larceny, and Conspiracy in the sixth degree. Bond and Martin were released on appearance tickets and are to appear in the Tyre Town Court at a later date.

Seneca County Sheriff Deputies report that on 05/08/2023 around the time of 1625 hours, Seneca County Sheriff’s Deputies executed an arrest warrant on Nicole Ramirez-Mariano 36, of Canandaigua NY, at 2133 State route 5&20 for a violation of a family court act. Nicole was committed to Seneca County Correctional Facility to await CAP Court.