Central Square Man arrested for Forgery
On January 8, 2025, the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation from Hastings arrested Michael J. Leonelli, age 46, from Central Square, NY, for:
Forgery 2nd Degree (class “D” felony)
Forgery 3rd Degree (class “A” misdemeanor)
Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd Degree (class “D” felony)
The investigation began in July 2024 after State Police received a complaint from the Caughdenoy Fire Department. The fire department requested Leonelli provide them with his FAA Part 107 UAS Certificate (drone license), as he had been operating the fire department’s drone in an official capacity as an employee. Rather than providing the fire department with an FAA certificate, Leonelli allegedly produced a forged document that represented himself as possessing a Part 107 certificate.
State Police were assisted by the FAA and Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General
State Police arrest Troy man following a multi-state pursuit
On January 9, 2025, State Police of Queensbury arrested Quavion S. Parker, 22, of Troy, NY, for
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd
- Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd
- Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th
- Reckless Endangerment 2nd
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th
- Numerous Vehicle and Traffic Law violations
On January 9, 2025, at approximately 12:54 p.m., State Police were monitoring a vehicle pursuit initiated by the Fair Haven Police Department in Vermont on State Route 4 traveling towards Whitehall, NY. The vehicle had fled a traffic stop in Vermont and had evaded multiple law enforcement agencies in Vermont and New York. Troopers located the vehicle on State Route 4 in Fort Ann, NY, and attempted to stop it, but the vehicle again failed to comply, and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed into a fence and an unoccupied parked car that was on display near the intersection of Ridge Road and State Route 149 in Queensbury, NY. Parker, who was later identified as the driver, fled on foot and was quickly taken into custody in a nearby wooded area.
An illegally possessed loaded handgun, multiple controlled substances, including felony weight narcotics, and more than $3,000 U.S. currency were discovered in the vehicle.
Further investigation determined the vehicle had been reported stolen from Middlebury, VT, on September 30, 2024. In addition, the vehicle’s license plate had been allegedly stolen from another vehicle parked in South Burlington, VT, in early December 2024.
Parker was transported to SP Queensbury for processing. He was then arraigned at the Warren County Centralized Arraignment Part Court and remanded to the Warren County Correctional Facility without bail.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are anticipated.
State Police arrest Blenheim man following multiple investigations
On January 9, 2025, State Police of Princetown arrested Christopher C. Brewer, 47, of Blenheim, NY, for
- Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors in the first degree
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the third degree
- Menacing in the second degree
- Reckless Endangerment in the second degree
On November 8, 2023, State Police of Princetown received information that an adult man was having inappropriate communications with a child. The investigation determined that over the course of several months in 2023, Brewer allegedly had inappropriate conversations of a sexual nature with a child under the age of 16 and sent them explicit photographs, including photos of himself.
On December 20, 2024, State Police of Cobleskill began investigating a past occurred menacing complaint. The investigation determined that on November 1, 2024, during a verbal altercation in Blenheim, NY, Brewer allegedly displayed and threatened a victim with a long gun. As the victim fled, Brewer reportedly recklessly discharged the weapon.
Brewer was arrested at his home in Blenheim and transported to SP Cobleskill for processing on all charges. He was arraigned at the Schoharie County Centralized Part Court and released with conditions to report to the Schoharie County Probation Department.
If you have additional information concerning Brewer’s criminal activity or believe you may be a victim of his crimes, please contact State Police at 518-457-6811 or email at Crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.
State Police investigate fatal incident on Great Sacandaga Lake
On January 12, 2025, State Police of Mayfield responded to the reports of a UTV through the ice of Great Sacandaga Lake in Mayfield, NY.
On January 12, 2025, at about 8:14 a.m. State Police responded to the area of Chupka Road in Mayfield, NY, for the report of a side-by-side utility task vehicle (UTV) through the ice of the Great Sacandaga Lake. The investigation determined the UTV was being operated by William D. Gifford, 37, of Gloversville, NY, with one passenger on board at the time of the incident. Bystanders managed to rescue both individuals from the water before emergency services arrived. Gifford was unresponsive when he was removed from the water and transported to St. Mary’s Hospital, where he later died. The passenger was uninjured.
New York State Police was assisted at the scene by the Fulton County Emergency Management Agency, Lake Valley EMS, The Mayfield Fire Department, the Northville Fire Department, and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.
This incident remains under investigation.
