Category: Press Release

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.

Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on 03/24/23 at approx. 1953hrs deputies arrested Lawrence A Atkins, 46 of Auburn on a bench warrant issued out of the Junius Town Court. The bench warrant was issued due to Atkins failing to appear for his scheduled court appearance for the original charge of petit larceny. Atkins was held to await CAP court. Seneca County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Auburn Police Department.

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 that on March 18, 2023 at around 6:30 AM 46 year old Tommie L Martin Jr of Greece NY was arrested in the Town of Waterloo following a Domestic Incident that had occurred on March 17th around 7:30 AM for the charges of Menacing in the second degree a Class A misdemeanor, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree a Class A Misdemeanor and Unlawful Imprisonment in the second degree a Class A Misdemeanor.

The arrest stemmed from a reported incident that occurred the previous day in the Town of Waterloo where the victim was held against her will within her residence by Martin. It was alleged that Martin had threatened the victim with a hatchet and held her against her will after he verbally harassing her. Tommie L. Martin Jr was taken into custody without incident and taken to the CAP court for arraignment where he was released on his own recognizance. A stay away order of protection was granted for the victim.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on 03/15/2023 around the time of 2025 hours, Seneca County Sheriff’s Deputies Arrested Damien Hennigan age 24, of Varick NY, at 5236 state route 89 for Harassment in the second degree and menacing in the third degree for allegedly threatening to physically hurt his neighbors while in the presence of Seneca County Sheriff Deputies. Damien was transported to Seneca County Correctional Facility to await CAP Court.

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.

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