Troopers respond to fatal crash in Broome County

On March 6, 2025, at approximately 9:35 p.m., New York State Police at Deposit responded to a fatal crash in the 4100 block of State Route 26 in the town of Nanticoke.

Troopers, Maine Ambulance and Glen Aubrey Fire Department were dispatched by the Broome County 911 Center and found that a Ford pick-up that had crashed, with the driver pinned underneath the tire.  It was determined that the driver was already deceased by the time the first responders arrived.  The driver is identified as Sethe Menta, age 22 of Lisle, NY. 

Members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Collision Reconstruction Unit also responded to the scene.

State Police arrest Palatine Bridge man for menacing with a weapon,

On March 5, 2025, State Police arrested David M. Ciocci, 89, of Palatine Bridge, for Menacing 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree.

On March 5, 2025, at approximately 6:51 a.m., State Police were called to Oswegatchie Road in the village of Palatine Bridge for a report of a man in a residence with a gun.

An investigation determined that Ciocci and the victim got into an argument and Ciocci threatened them with a gun.

Ciocci was arraigned in the Town of Palatine Court and is due to reappear on March 11, 2025.

The investigation is ongoing.

State Police Arrest of Catskill Man for Possessing Indecent Material Involving Minors

On March 6, 2025, the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) at Catskill arrested Peter Lentz, 42, of Catskill, NY, following an investigation into the possession of indecent material involving minors.

Lentz was arrested and charged with five counts of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child Under 16 (E Felony).

The investigation began on October 30, 2024, after a mandatory meeting at Lentz’s residence with his Parole Officer. During the meeting, the Officer discovered an electronic device belonging to Lentz that contained indecent material involving minors.

Lentz was initially arrested for a parole violation and transported to Greene County Jail, where he remained in custody. On March 6, 2025, Lentz was ordered by the court to appear at State Police Catskill for processing. Following his arrest and processing, Lentz was arraigned in Greene County Court at 2 p.m., and remanded back to Greene County Jail, where he awaits future court proceedings.

State Police Arrest Christopher M. Morgan Following Violent Incident at Garnet Health Medical Center

On March 7, 2025, the New York State Police, Middletown Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), announced the arrest of Christopher M. Morgan, 40, of Port Jervis, NY, following a violent incident at Garnet Health Medical Center.

On March 6, 2025, Morgan, a patient at the medical center, violently attacked a 74-year-old employee and forcefully removed their hospital ID access card. Morgan then used the ID card to escape from the behavioral health unit and fled the hospital on foot. An organized search of the surrounding area was conducted with assistance from the Middletown Police Department, the Wallkill Police Department, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, but the search was unsuccessful.

On March 7, 2025, Morgan was located and arrested by the Port Jervis Police Department near 291 East Main Street in Port Jervis. He was then turned over to the custody of the New York State Police and arrested for Robbery in the 2nd Degree (Class C Felony). In addition, Morgan was arrested for Making a Terroristic Threat (Class D Felony) in connection with an incident that occurred on February 22, 2025. On that date, Morgan used a phone belonging to Garnet Health Medical Center to call in bomb threats to several local law enforcement agencies in Orange County.

Morgan was arraigned today in the city of Middletown Court on the charges and remanded to the Orange County Jail. Bail was set at $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $750,000 partially secured bond.

The New York State Police would like to thank the public for providing numerous tips during this investigation. We also extend our gratitude to the Port Jervis Police Department, the Middletown Police Department, and the Wallkill Police Department for their valuable assistance.

New York State Police Arrest Canandaigua Man for Assault 2nd

The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Canandaigua has arrested Jayden Q. Mendez, age 25, of Canandaigua, NY, for Assault 2nd following an investigation into injuries sustained by a five-week-old infant. 

On March 1, 2025, Investigators were assigned to a case involving a report from Ontario County Child Protective Services (CPS) regarding an injured infant at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. Medical personnel determined the infant had significant bruising. Following an investigation, it was determined that Mendez Sr., the infant’s father, was responsible for the injuries. A safety plan was established to ensure the child’s well-being.

On March 2, 2025, Troopers arrested Mendez Sr. at his residence in Canandaigua. He was transported to the New York State Police barracks in Canandaigua for processing. Mendez Sr. was charged with Assault 2nd (D Felony) and  Endangering the Welfare of a Child (A Misdemeanor). He was taken to Ontario County Jail for CAP arraignment.

Domestic Dispute leads to arrest in the town of Altona

On March 7, 2025, State Police arrested Keith E. Provost, age 31, from Altona, NY, on charges of criminal mischief and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation.

O March 7, 2025, at approximately 5:54 p.m., State Police responded to a report of a domestic disturbance on Miner Farm Road in the town of Altona. The investigation revealed that Provost and the victim had been engaged in a verbal argument, which escalated into physical violence when Provost struck the victim multiple times, grabbed them by the neck, and applied pressure. During the altercation, Provost also damaged the victim’s cell phone.

The victim was evaluated by Altona EMS but declined further medical treatment at the hospital.

Provost was arrested and taken to SP Champlain for processing. He was later released on an appearance ticket, which requires him to appear in the Town of Altona Court on a later date.

Two individuals arrested in the town of Massena on drug charges

On March 8, 2025, State Police arrested Logan Mackenzie Dyer-Charleboise, age 28, of Ottawa, for three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. Also arrested were Alexander J. Herbert, age 28, of Ottawa, who faced two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, two counts of criminal possession of a narcotic drug in the fourth degree, one count of criminal use of drug paraphernalia, and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.

On March 8, 2025, at approximately 4:13 p.m., State Police responded to the Port of Entry in Massena regarding two individuals involved with narcotics. Troopers arrived and spoke with U.S. Customs and Border agents about the suspects. During a secondary inspection, narcotics and drug paraphernalia were discovered.

Herbert and Dyer-Charleboise were arrested and transported to SP Massena for processing. Dyer-Charleboise was released on an appearance ticket, which required him to appear in the Town of Massena Court at a later date in March. Herbert was arraigned in the Town of Massena Court and was later released on his own recognizance.

After the arraignment, Herbert was turned over to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for further investigation.