State Police arrest Johnstown man for Child Pornography possession
On February 28, 2025, State Police of Fonda, 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 Andrew J. Brown, 37, of Johnstown, 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.
Brown 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 Johnstown, NY, residence on February 28, 2025. The investigation stemmed from a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Brown was transported to SP Fonda, where he was arrested and processed. He was then arraigned at the Johnstown City Court, where he was remanded to the Fulton County Correctional Facility in lieu of $2,500 cash, $15,000 bond, or a $30,000 partially secured bond
Ogdensburg male arrested for Promotion of a Sexual Performance by a Child and Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child
On February 28, 2025, the New York State Police Troop B Computer Crime Unit arrested LEE A. GRIFFITH, 34, of Lafayette Street, Ogdensburg, New York on one count each of Promotion of a Sexual Performance by a Child and Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child. The investigation was initiated by two social media platforms reporting to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) child exploitation material had been sent through the reporting platforms in September and October 2024.
GRIFFITH was arraigned in the City of Ogdensburg Court and was released. GRIFFITH is to reappear in the City of Ogdensburg Court on 03/25/25. The investigation is still ongoing.
The Troop B Computer Crime Unit was assisted by the Ogdensburg Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.
State Police investigate a rape incident in the town of Lawrence
On February 27, 2025, state police arrested Daniel M. Harrington, age 32, of North Lawrence, NY, for two counts of first-degree rape.
On February 27, 2025, at approximately 10:02 a.m., State Police members were informed that past sexual assault had occurred. The investigation determined Harrington had oral and sexual intercourse with two victims less than 13 years old.
Harrington was arrested and processed at SP Massena. He was arraigned in the Town of Norfolk Court and was remanded to St. Lawrence County Jail on a cash bail of $100,000.
State Police investigate a kidnapping incident in the town of Morristown
On February 27, 2025, State Police arrested John E. Dobbs, 53, from Hermon, NY, on charges of second-degree kidnapping and trespassing.
On February 27, 2025, at approximately 2:20 p.m., State Police received reports of a possible kidnapping incident. The investigation revealed that Dobbs had restrained the victim, intending to prevent their escape by threatening to use deadly physical force.
Fortunately, the victim managed to escape and contacted law enforcement. When officers located Dobbs, he fled the scene in a 2014 blue Dodge pickup truck, leading to a pursuit. Dobbs then abandoned the vehicle and attempted to escape on foot. After a brief chase, he ultimately stopped but threatened the troopers with a hammer. The troopers instructed Dobbs to drop the weapon. After some time, he complied and was taken into custody.
Dobbs was arrested and transported to the State Police station in Ogdensburg for further questioning and processing. He was subsequently arraigned in the Town of Morristown Court and remanded to St. Lawrence County Jail.
On March 2, 2025, at about 11:30 a.m., State Police responded to Cedarville Road in the town of Litchfield for a serious personal injury accident.
A preliminary investigation revealed a 2022 Chevrolet pickup truck, operated by Christopher W. Ryan, age 41, from Richfield Springs, NY, left the roadway, struck a snowbank, multiple trees, and overturned down an embankment.
An off-duty Utica firefighter discovered the crash after noticing swaying power lines.
First responders arrived on scene and extricated two of the three occupants from the vehicle.
Back seat passenger, Shawn W. Ryan, age 17, from Richfield Springs, NY, was initially transported to Wynn Hospital before being airlifted via Mercy Flight to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse listed in critical condition.
Front passenger, Dawn Bernholz, age 63, from Richfield Springs, NY, remains in serious condition at Wynn Hospital.
Driver, Christopher W. Ryan, was transported to Wynn Hospital, where he is currently listed in critical condition.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Further updates will be provided as more details become available.
State Police Request Public Assistance for AMBER Alert Test
On Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., the New York State Police will conduct a TEST of the AMBER Alert system.
The State Police is requesting that anyone who receives the test alert on their phone to please click on the provided link to the AMBER Alert website. The public’s cooperation is greatly appreciated as this test will allow the State Police to ensure that the AMBER Alert system is fully functional.
The test alert will be sent to mobile phones via the Wireless Emergency Alerts system in AMBER Alert Region 2 and to television and radio stations through the Emergency Alert System. This region includes all or parts of the following counties (see map below):
- Allegany
- Erie
- Genesee
- Livingston
- Monroe
- Niagara
- Orleans
- Seneca
- Wayne
- Wyoming
For more information about New York’s AMBER Alert program, visit www.amber.ny.gov.
Ontario female arrested for CPCS 7th
On February 27, 2025, State Police arrested Anne M. Smoke, age 49, from Cornwall, ON, for four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.
At approximately 1:52 p.m. on that same day, State Police responded to a drug possession complaint at the Massena Port of Entry, International Bridge in the town of Massena. An investigation revealed that Smoke was in possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia, which were discovered after a secondary search conducted by a U.S. Customs agent.
Smoke was arrested and taken to the State Police station in Massena for processing. She was subsequently released on an appearance ticket, which requires her to return to the Town of Massena Court at a later date in March.
State Police Investigate Death at Mid-State Correctional Facility
On Saturday, March 1, 2025, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision notified the New York State Police of the death of an inmate who was incarcerated at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, NY.
Messiah Nantwi, age 22, was pronounced deceased at Wynn Hospital in Utica, NY. The circumstances surrounding his death are part of an ongoing investigation by the New York State Police, with the assistance of the DOCCS Office of Special Investigations.
Because this is an active investigation, no further details are available at this time.
