State Police arrest Schenectady man for possessing Child Pornography
On March 21, 2025, State Police of Princetown, with the assistance of the Troop G Computer Crimes Unit, the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, arrested James M. Coffey, 25, of Schenectady, NY, for Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, a class “D” felony, and Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, a class “E” felony.
Coffey is accused of promoting and possessing images consistent with child sexual exploitation. His arrest followed an investigation and the execution of a search warrant at his Schenectady, NY, residence on March 21, 2025. The investigation stemmed from a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Coffey was transported to SP Princetown, where he was arrested and processed. He was arraigned in Schenectady City Court and remanded to the Schenectady County Correctional Facility in lieu of $3,000 cash bail.
Troopers respond to crash off I-81 in Cortland
On March 24, 2025, just after 8 p.m., New York State Police at Homer responded to the area of Interstate 81 in the city of Cortland near exit 53 (old exit 11).
A preliminary investigation reveals that a Dodge Ram pick-up was traveling south on Interstate 81 when around mile marker 52.8, the operator veered off the roadway into the highway median and struck an earth embankment just above State Route 13 near Clinton Avenue.
The only occupant, a 51-year-old male of Marathon, NY was transported to Upstate Medical University and appears to have suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Troopers were assisted by the City of Cortland, TLC Ambulance and City of Cortland Fire Department.
State Police in Troop G make notable DWI arrests 3/12 -3/20
On March 14, 2025, at about 10:13 p.m., State Police of Brunswick stopped a vehicle on Oakwood Avenue in Troy, NY, for a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation. The driver was identified as Brandon K. Brust, 32, of Johnsonville, NY. Two children under the age of 16 were also located in the vehicle. Brust was arrested for two counts of Aggravated Driving While intoxicated with a child (Leandra’s Law), two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. He was transported to SP Brunswick for processing, where he reported a 0.21% BAC. Brust was arraigned at the Schaghticoke Town Court, where he was released on his own recognizance.
On March 14, 2025, at about 10:43 p.m., State Police of Brunswick stopped a vehicle on Northern Drive in Troy, NY, for a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation. The driver was identified as Lisa A. Pickett Helmar, 47, of Troy, NY. Also located in the vehicle was a child under the age of 16 who was turned over to a family member. Pickett Helmar was arrested for Aggravated Driving While intoxicated with a child (Leandra’s Law), Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. She was transported to SP Brunswick for processing, where she refused to provide a sample to determine the alcohol content of her blood. Pickett Helmar was arraigned at the Schaghticoke Town Court, where she was released on her own recognizance.
On March 15, 2025, at about 9:49 p.m., State Police of Queensbury stopped a vehicle on Aviation Road in Queensbury, NY, for a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation. The driver was identified as Walter Meinecke, 59, of Queensbury, NY. Meinecke was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. He was transported to SP Queensbury for processing, where he recorded a 0.19% BAC. Meinecke was issued tickets returnable to the Queensbury Town Court on March 31, 2025, and released to a sober third party.
On March 16, 2025, at about 12:41 a.m. State Police assigned to the Latham Interstate Patrol stopped a vehicle on I-90 in Colonie, NY, for a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation. The driver provided false identifying information and was later identified as Sabrina M. Farrell, 28, of Troy, NY. Two Children under the age of 16 were also located in the vehicle. Farrell was arrested for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child (Leandra’s Law), two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Criminal Impersonation in the second degree, Obstructing Governmental Administration in the second degree, and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. She was transported to SP Latham for processing, where she recorded a 0.11% BAC. Farrell was issued tickets returnable to the Colonie Town Court on April 16, 2025, and released to a sober third party.
On March 16, 2025, at about 12:55 a.m. State Police of SP Capital stopped a vehicle on I-787 in Watervliet, NY. The driver was identified as Joshua I White, 33 of Troy, NY. Also located in the vehicle was a child under the age of 16 who was turned over to a family member. White was arrested for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child (Leandra’s Law), Endangering the Welfare of a Child and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. He was transported to SP Capital for processing where he recorded a 0.18% BAC. White was issued tickets returnable to the Watervliet City Court on April 22, 2025, and released to a sober third party.
On March 16, 2025, at about 11:25 a.m. State Police assigned to the Latham Interstate Patrol responded to the reports of a two-car crash on I-87 in Colonie, NY. One of the drivers was identified as Alejandro Rosales, 44, of Albany, NY. Also located in the vehicle were two children under the age of 16 who were uninjured and turned over to a family member. Rosales was arrested for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child (Leandra’s Law), two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. He was transported to SP Latham for processing, where he recorded a 0.33% BAC. Rosales was arraigned at the Colonie Town Court where he was released on his own recognizance.
Troopers investigate fatal fire in Cortland County
On March 24, 2025, just before 6 p.m., New York State Police at Homer and the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to a fire at 28 Elm Street in the village of McGraw.
One person was found deceased inside the home.
The investigation is on-going.
The New York State Police thanks the agencies that responded: McGraw Fire Department, Cortlandville Fire Department, City of Cortland Fire Department, Homer Fire Department, Marathon Fire Department, Cincinnatus Fire Department, McLean Fire and Rescue and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.
State Police arrest man on Interstate 87 in the city of Yonkers on drug charges
On March 23, 2025, State Police arrested Angel Tejeda, 38, of New York, New York, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd (B Felony), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance-Intent to sell (B Felony), Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 1st (E Felony), and numerous vehicle and traffic violations.
On March 23, 2025, at approximately 5:13 p.m., Troopers from SP Tarrytown conducted a traffic stop on a 2019 black BMW on Interstate 87 in the city of Yonkers.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the operator of the vehicle, identified as Tejeda, was found to have a revoked driver’s license.
During the investigation, 102 grams of Cocaine was located inside the vehicle.
Tejeda was arraigned at the Yonkers City Court and released on his own recognizance and is due to return on April 11, 2025.
State Police arrest man following Colonie standoff
On March 24, 2025, State Police, with the assistance of the Colonie Police Department, arrested William R. Jones, 37, of Colonie, NY, for Aggravated Harassment in the second degree.
On March 24, 2025, at about 1:58 p.m., Troopers received a complaint from a Halfmoon resident reporting Jones had contacted them by phone threatening to cause them physical harm and damage property. During the investigation, Jones was located at his home in Colonie. While attempting to interview him at approximately 5 p.m. Jones became uncooperative and threatened Troopers before barricading himself in the home and refusing to come out. Following a short standoff and negotiations, at about 8:00 p.m. Jones exited the house without incident, where he was taken into custody.
Jones was transported to SP Clifton Park for processing related to the original incident. He was arraigned at the Halfmoon Town Court, where he was released on his own recognizance.
State Police was assisted at the Colonie scene by the Colonie Police Department during the entire duration of the incident.
