Category: Press Release

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.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports on March 9, 2023 at approximately 7:01 P.M. Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Douglas S. Griffen, age 60, of 2318 County Road 139, Ovid for Failure to Keep Right, Driving While Intoxicated and Aggravated DWI. The incident stems from a citizen’s complaint reporting Griffen’s vehicle driving erratically. Upon Sheriff’s Deputies making a traffic stop on said vehicle, Griffen was found to be driving while intoxicated. Griffen was released on appearance tickets and is to appear to the Town of Romulus Court on March 24th, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. to answer for the charges.

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 Wednesday 03/08/23, Timothy Skinner 31, of 1820 RTE 318 APT2 TYRE, NY was taken into custody by Sheriff’s Deputies on an Bench Warrant. The Charge on the Bench Warrant was Criminal possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree. Skinner was brought to the Seneca County Correctional Facility to await arraignment.

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.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Friday, March 3rd, 2023 at around 4:40am, Hakeem Newsome, age 33, of 511 Glide Street Rochester, NY was taken into custody by Sheriff’s Deputies on an Arrest Warrant. Charges include Robbery Second Degree, Strangulation Second Degree, Criminal Mischief Fourth Degree and Petit Larceny. Newsome was transported to the Seneca County Correctional Facility to await arraignment.

On 02/27/2023 Seneca County Sheriff’s Deputies report the arrest of warrant suspect Courtney Bower. Bower was taken into custody after being identified as a passenger in a vehicle, during a traffic stop in the Village of Waterloo. Bower was ultimately brought to Seneca County CAP court to answer her charges. The arrest warrant was issued for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in the third degree.
23SH03861

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.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on February 23, 2023, at about 1:00 pm, Investigators arrested Thomas W. Weaver, age 74, of 5854 Route 96, Apartment 235B, Romulus, New York, on charges of Misuse of Food Stamps, Welfare Fraud in the Fifth Degree, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. It is alleged that Weaver received monetary benefits from Seneca County that he was not entitled to when he failed to report his total household income. Weaver was processed and released on an appearance ticket. Weaver is to appear before the Waterloo Town Court on March 8, 2023 at 5:00 pm to answer the charges.