Investigation Leads to Multiple Arrests in Check Fraud and Burglary Case
The New York State Police at SP Horseheads have made five arrests in connection with an ongoing investigation into a burglary and check fraud scheme involving a former employee of Rico’s Pizza in Elmira, NY.
On January 7, 2025, the New York State Police received a complaint that multiple unauthorized checks had been stolen from Rico’s Pizzeria and subsequently cashed at various financial institutions. The evidence implicated several individuals, including a former shift manager and four other accomplices.
The following individuals were charged:
Dominic Z. Palmieri, age 28, of Elmira, NY:
- Criminal Possession Forged Instrument 2nd (D Felony) – two counts
- Burglary-3rd Degree: Illegal Entry with Intent to Commit a Crime (D)
- Petit Larceny (A Misdemeanor)- Two Counts
- Conspiracy 5th (A Misdemeanor)
Dannielle R. Leskoven, age 33, of Towanda, PA:
- Possession Forged Instrument 2nd (D Felony)- Two Counts
- Grand Larceny 4th (E Felony)
- Conspiracy 5th (A Misdemeanor)
Anngelica M. Morrow, age 37, of Towanda, PA:
- Possession Forged Instrument 2nd (D Felony)
- Petit Larceny (A Misdemeanor)
- Conspiracy 5th (A Misdemeanor)
Luna-Holly Foster, age 24, of Elmira, NY:
- Possession Forged Instrument 2nd (D Felony)
- Petit Larceny (A Misdemeanor)
- Conspiracy 5th (A Misdemeanor)
Jamison S. Randall, age 25, of Elmira, NY:
- Possession Forged Instrument 2nd (D Felony)- Three Counts
- Grand Larceny 4th (E Felony)
- Conspiracy 5th (A Misdemeanor)
The New York State Police were assisted by the Pennsylvania State Police.
Fatal Residential Fire Under Investigation in Town of Brownville
On March 11, 2025, at approximately 9:24 a.m., the New York State Police and multiple fire departments responded to a reported residential structure fire at 16215 Witt Road in the Town of Brownville.
While working to extinguish the fire, firefighters discovered a deceased individual inside the residence. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending positive identification by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation.
Responding agencies included the New York State Police Watertown, Town of Brownville Fire Department, Three Mile Bay Fire Department, Clayton Fire Department, Chaumont Fire Department, Glen Park Fire Department, Northpole Fire Department, Town of Watertown Fire Department, Guilfoyle Ambulance Service, Jefferson County Office of Fire and Emergency Management, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
State Police arrest man for possessing Child Pornography
On March 10, 2025, State Police of Latham, with the assistance of the Troop G Computer Crimes Unit and The Licking County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Brooklyn Davis, 19, of Pearland, TX, for Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, a class “E” felony.
Davis’s arrest followed an investigation originating in Licking County, OH, by the Licking County Sheriff’s Office. Davis allegedly possessed images consistent with child sexual exploitation while in Albany, NY.
Davis was arrested and transported to SP Latham, where he was processed. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Albany City Court on March 19, 2025.
Kingston Man Arrested on Felony Charges Following Domestic Incident
On March 5, 2025, at approximately 9:39 p.m., troopers from the State Police Kingston were patrolling Smith Avenue in Kingston, NY, when they observed a 39-year-old female outside in need of assistance.
The investigation revealed that the woman had been at her residence when a guest, identified as Michael E. Rodriguez, age 42, of Connelly, NY, initially left and returned to the apartment about 30 minutes later. Upon his return, Rodriguez became irate and attempted to take the victim’s phone. A physical struggle ensued, during which Rodriguez forcibly took the phone and later damaged the victim’s laptop. The victim fled the residence, where police officers located her. Rodriguez fled the scene shortly after.
A warrant for Rodriguez’s arrest was issued in connection with the incident. On March 11, 2025, Rodriguez turned himself in. He was arrested and charged with the following:
Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree (Damage to Property Exceeding $250 (E Felony)
Criminal Mischief (Intent to Damage Property (A Misdemeanor)
Robbery in the 3rd Degree (D Felony)
Rodriguez was arraigned at the Ulster County Court and remanded to the Ulster County Jail. A return court date is scheduled for March 12, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. in the City of Kingston Court.
Oneida Man Arrested for Sharing Indecent Material Involving Children
On March 11, 2025, the New York State Police arrested Jeremy J. Neidhart, age 35, from Oneida, NY, for:
• Two counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (class “D” felony)
• Two counts of Possession of Sexual Performance by a Child (class “E” felony)
The investigation stemmed from an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force search warrant related to the transmission of child sexual exploitation material over the internet.
The arrest was a result of a joint investigation by members of the Computer Crime Unit – Troop D, the State Police Troop D Bureau of Criminal Investigation – Oneida, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force – Albany, Homeland Security Investigations, and Oneida Police Department.
Neidhart was transported to the Madison County CAP court to await centralized arraignment.
State Police Arrest Two Individuals for Child Endangerment and Related Charges
The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Ithaca has arrested two individuals following an investigation into allegations of child abuse and endangerment.
In August 2024, State Police were notified of potential child abuse involving Victor Albrecht, age 35, of Freeville, NY, and Jordan E. Boardman, age 30, of Brooktondale, NY.
Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that Albrecht inappropriately touched a child under the age of 14 on separate occasions in both the town of Groton and the town of Caroline. Additionally, investigators found that Albrecht and Boardman unlawfully tattooed a child while in the town of Caroline.
Further investigation revealed that Boardman endangered the welfare of a child by excessively punishing the victim in the town of Caroline. During this period, Albrecht violated an order of protection issued by a judge by maintaining contact with Boardman.
On December 12, 2024, Boardman was arrested and charged with the misdemeanors of Unlawfully Dealing with a Child (Tattooing a Child Less than the Age of 18) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. She was scheduled to appear in Caroline Town Court on December 30, 2024.
Investigators were initially unable to locate Albrecht but later determined that he was incarcerated at the Tompkins County Jail on unrelated charges. On March 10, 2025, Albrecht was formally arrested and charged with the following misdemeanors:
- Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree (Town of Groton)
- Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree (Town of Caroline)
- Unlawfully Dealing with a Child (Tattooing a Child Less than the Age of 18) (Town of Caroline)
- Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree (Town of Caroline)
Albrecht was processed at SP Ithaca and returned to the Tompkins County Jail.
Man arrested after striking another with a sock filled with rocks
On March 11, 2025, at approximately 6:30 p.m., New York State Police at Homer arrested Gordon L. Darling, age 51 of Cortland, NY for the class “D” felony of Assault in the second degree.
Troopers were dispatched by the Cortland County 911 Center to reports of a disturbance between two males at residence on Tower Road in the town of Cortlandville. An investigation determined that Darling and another male got into a physical altercation while outside the residence where ultimately Darling struck the victim in the head with a sock filled with rocks.
The victim was transported by TLC Ambulance to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center where he was treated and released. Darling was processed at SP Homer and then transported to the Cortland County Correctional Facility for Centralized Arraignment.
Female arrested unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charges
On March 11, 2025, State Police members arrested Samantha E. LaRock, age 37, of Brushton, NY, for unauthorized use of a vehicle, obstruction of governmental administration 2nd, resisting arrest, and issued a vehicle and traffic ticket for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 3rd.
On March 11, 2025, at approximately 9:46 a.m., State Police members responded to County Route 32 in the town of Moira for a stolen vehicle complaint. An investigation determined LaRock had permission to use the 2009 Chevrolet Impala for a couple of hours but once the owner attempted to contact LaRock she was refusing to return the vehicle.
LaRock was located, ignored Troopers commands, and began actively resisting their commands. Troopers later were able to bring LaRock into custody. She was processed and released on appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Moira Court for a later date in April.
State Police Pursuit of Wrong Way Driver Leads to Gun and Drug Seizure
On March 9, 2025, at approximately 3:09 PM, New York State Troopers patrolling westbound on the Southern State Parkway observed a Ford Taurus, bearing Florida registration CKKI63, stopped on the Exit 41S ramp. When Troopers attempted to check on the vehicle, the driver made an illegal left turn and fled, dangerously traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Bayshore Road.
Troopers pursued the vehicle, which ultimately crashed into the guiderail on the southbound Sagtikos State Parkway, at the Exit S3 ramp. The driver, identified as Samuel Colon, 50, of Bay Shore, refused multiple lawful orders and was removed from the vehicle. Colon showed signs of intoxication and was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). During the investigation, Troopers located a loaded semi-automatic handgun on the front passenger floorboard along with cocaine on Colon’s person. Troopers investigation determined that the loaded hand gun and vehicle in Colon’s possession were reported stolen.
Colon was charged with Driving While Under the Influence (E Felony), Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer 3rd ( A Misdemeanor), Resisting Arrest (A Misdemeanor), Obstruct Governmental Administration 2nd (A Misdemeanor), Reckless Endangerment 2nd ( A Misdemeanor), Reckless Driving (Unclassified Misdemeanor), Criminal Possession Stolen Property 5th (A Misdemeanor), Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd (C Felony), Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd ( B Felony),Criminal Possession Stolen Property 4th (E Felony), Criminal Possession Stolen Property 4th – Firearms ( E Felony),Unauthorized Use Vehicle, Without Owner Consent ( A Misdemeanor) along with numerous Vehicle and Traffic Law Violations.
Thanks to the Troopers keen observations, dangerous drugs and a loaded handgun were removed from the community.
Wheatfield man arrested for numerous weapon charges
On February 26, 2025, the NYSP Community Stabilization Unit arrested Justin A. Schoelles, 43 of Wheatfield, NY for Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd – Assault Weapon- 2 counts (D Felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd – Silencer – 2 counts (D Felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd– High -capacity magazines- 20 counts (D Felony), Unlawful Purchase of Body Armor – A Misdemeanor and Unlawfully Possessing of Selling Noxious Materials -B Misdemeanor.
On February 26, 2025, Troop A Community Stabilization Unit with Special Investigations Unit Buffalo, CTIU NICS West, SP Lockport BCI and NYSP Bomb Disposal Unit executed a search warrant on Niagara Road in the town of Wheatfield. Schoelles was arrested and multiple weapons were taken into evidence. AFT were notified and responded to assist. Schoelles was transported to SP Lockport and processed. Schoelles was then taken to Niagara County Jail for Centralized Arraignment.
On March 12, 2025, at about 10:47 pm, troopers from Troop T, SP Tarrytown, pulled over a black 2019 Honda CRV that was traveling northbound on the NYS Thruway in Cornwall for vehicle and traffic violations.
During their investigation, troopers located 104 grams of crack cocaine in the vehicle.
As a result, troopers arrested the driver, Dershaun D. Nicholas, age 35, of Troy, NY, and his passenger, Stephon Pierre, age 42, of Slingerlands, NY. Both men are charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd degree, a class B felony. They were arraigned in Newburgh City Court and ordered held at the Orange County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $25,000 bond.
They are scheduled to appear in Cornwall town court on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. for a preliminary hearing.
Athens Man Arrested for Possessing Child Pornography
On March 10, 2025, the New York State Police arrested Cody Gogger, age 19, of Athens, NY, on multiple charges related to child sexual exploitation. Gogger is facing:
• 39 Counts of Possessing Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child Under 16 (E Felony)
• Act in a Manner Injurious to a Child Under 17 (A Misdemeanor)
Gogger is accused of possessing and accessing images consistent with child sexual exploitation. The investigation began after a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which led to the execution of a search warrant at Gogger’s residence in Athens, NY, on January 9, 2025.
This arrest is the result of a joint investigation involving the Troop F Computer Crimes Unit, the State Police Troop F Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Catskill, and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Gogger was transported to State Police Catskill for processing. He was arraigned in Athens Town Court and released on his own recognizance. A future court date has been set for April 3, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
