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Hudson firefighter indicted for stealing thousands from HFD

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HUDSON—Firefighter and former vice president of the C.H. Evans Hook and Ladder Company Joseph Morrison, Jr., 31, was indicted on a charge of third degree grand larceny, a class D felony, May 23.

Mr. Morrison, who works for the City of Hudson Department of Public Works, allegedly stole between $33,000 and $48,000 from the Hudson Fire Department, according to Hudson Police Lieutenant Lynne Finn.

The arrest and indictment comes after a seven-month investigation between March and October 2012 during which Hudson Police worked in conjunction with the State Comptroller’s Office and with the assistance of the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office and the Hudson Fire Department.

Arraigned at the Columbia County Courthouse before Judge Jonathan Nichols, Mr. Morrison was released on his own recognizance to reappear in County Court at a future date.

New Lebanon

John C. White, 40, of Stephentown was extradited from Alabama on charges of second degree aggravated harassment and second degree criminal contempt, May 19 at 7:35 a.m.

Mr. White was originally charged February 13 with endangering the welfare of child and aggravated harassment for allegedly sending inappropriate text messages to a 14-year-old girl in New Lebanon. An order of protection was issued at that time by New Lebanon Town Justice Jessica Byrne directing Mr. White to have no contact with the victim. He was scheduled to return to court on the original charges and failed to show resulting in the issuance of a bench warrant.

While being sought on that warrant, Mr. White allegedly violated the order of protection by contacting the victim via telephone. Justice Byrne issued an arrest warrant on the new charges and Mr. White was located in the Alabama. District Attorney Paul Czjaka requested he be extradited back to New York, which was done by Sheriff’s Office Investigator Anthony Brahm and Deputy Todd Hyson.

Upon his return, Mr. White was arraigned before Justice Byrne and upon recommendation of the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, was sent to the county jail in lieu of $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bail bond and ordered to return to town court at a later date.

Greenport

Mark C. Cramer, 29, of Joslen Motor Lodge, Greenport was charged with second degree aggravated harassment by State Police at Livingston, May 17.

Troopers were called to a Fairview Avenue business for a complaint about someone threatening employees. The responding trooper was shown a text sent by Mr. Cramer in which he allegedly threatened to kill the workers at the establishment. The trooper located Mr. Cramer and after contacting a Greenport justice, issued him an appearance ticket returnable in Greenport Court at a later date.

Germantown

Stephanie Ryman, 20, of Maple Street, Germantown was charged with second degree obstructing governmental administration and Robert J. Brumaghin, III, 36, of the same address was charged on a Clermont Court-issued bench warrant for failure to appear by Deputies Jason Garvey and Peter Grzeskow, May 17 at 12:32 a.m.

Deputies went to the Maple Avenue residence to execute the bench warrant and were allegedly told numerous times by Ms. Ryman that Mr. Brumaghin was not there. Though Ms. Ryman was informed of the warrant, she still insisted he was not at the residence. As the deputies began to leave, they heard and saw Mr. Brumaghin inside. Both were taken in to custody without incident. Mr. Brumaghin was arraigned in Germantown Court and sent to the county jail in lieu of $250 cash bail or $500 bail bond and directed to appear in Clermont Court at a later date. Ms. Ryman was released with an appearance ticket returnable in Germantown Court also at a later date.

Ghent

Jerrid W. Shaw, 33, of Ghent was charged with second degree harassment by Deputies Thomas Merante, Jr., and Kelly Briscoe, May 16 at 1:05 a.m.

During a dispute at a Route 66 residence, Mr. Shaw allegedly head-butted a woman in the face causing pain and discomfort. The Greenport Rescue Squad took the woman to Columbia Memorial Hospital for treatment. Arraigned before Ghent Justice David Harrison, Sr., Mr. Shaw was sent to the county jail in lieu of $500 cash or bail bond and ordered to return to court.

Austerlitz

Terrance Gibson, 68, of Austerlitz was charged with fourth degree criminal mischief by Deputy Peter Merante, Jr., May 16 at 9:40 p.m.

Mr. Gibson was involved in a dispute with a woman at an Upper Hollow Road residence. When the woman attempted to call 911 for assistance, Mr. Gibson allegedly pulled the phone out of the wall. Arraigned in Hillsdale Court by Justice Mark Cawley, Mr. Gibson was released on his own recognizance and directed to appear in Austerlitz Court at a later date.

Drugs/alcohol

The following face drug- and/or alcohol-related charges:

*Thomas Wildermuth, 65, of 7 Dupier Road, Ghent was charged with driving while intoxicated by State Police at Livingston, May 17. Mr. Wildermuth was stopped after troopers saw him driving north in the southbound lane of State Route 66 in Ghent. He was released with tickets returnable in Ghent Court June 3.

*Andrew Didio, 29, of 55 County Route 9, Ghent was charged with driving while intoxicated and seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance by State Police at New Lebanon, May 17. Troopers stopped Mr. Didio at a sobriety checkpoint on State Route 66, Ghent and found him to be intoxicated and to possess a quantity of cocaine. He was released with appearance tickets returnable in Ghent Court.

*Bruce J. Rubin, 64, of Miami Beach, FL, was charged with criminal possession of marijuana and traffic violations by State Police from New Lebanon, May 18 at 4:30 p.m. Troopers stopped Mr. Rubin for speeding on State Route 22 in Austerlitz. While interviewing Mr. Rubin, they detected an odor of marijuana. A search of Mr. Rubin and his vehicle produced 52 grams of marijuana and a marijuana smoking pipe. He was issued tickets returnable in Austerlitz Court, June 5.

To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com.

County Court cases:

The following court cases were recently dealt with in Columbia County Court. Information about the cases was provided by the office of Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka:

*Francisco Fernandez was sentenced to spend 2 1/2 to 5 years in prison and pay restitution of $1,000 by County Judge Koweek, May 17.

Mr. Fernandez was convicted of third degree robbery after pleading guilty April 11. Represented by the Public Defender, Mr. Fernandez was arrested by Hudson Police July 6, 2012 after he robbed the Bank of America at corner of Sixth and Warren streets, Hudson, July 5, 2012.

In a press release, District Attorney Paul Czajka credited “excellent police work and cooperation of employees of the bank” for the conviction.

*Frederick Healy was sentenced to five years probation, to participate in a drug treatment program in Oswego County and pay a $1,000 fine by County Judge Jonathan Nichols, May 7. Mr. Healy was convicted by guilty plea of driving while intoxicated (previous conviction of designated offense within 10 years). Represented by Attorney Steven Patterson, Mr. Healy was arrested by Hudson Police, December 9, 2012.

*Richard Wolfe was convicted by guilty plea of fourth degree grand larceny before County Judge Nichols, May 7.

Represented by Attorney John Leonardson, Mr. Wolfe was arrested by State Police, August 29, 2012. He will be sentenced July 9 at 9:15 a.m.

*Brian Mulhall was sentenced to pay a $500 fine, participate in a drinking driver program and have an ignition interlock device installed by County Judge Richard Koweek, May 8. Mr. Mulhall was convicted after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated (first offense). Represented by Attorney Michael Howard, Mr. Mulhall was arrested by State Police, December 17, 2010.

*Kelsey Murphy was sentenced to pay a $500 fine by Judge Koweek, May 8. Ms. Murphy was convicted after pleading guilty to operating a motor vehicle under influence of drugs (first offense), two counts of seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana. She was arrested by State Police, June 15, 2010.

*John Southard was convicted after pleading guilty to two counts of third degree arson August 24, 2012.

In court May 8, Judge Koweek adjourned Mr. Southard’s sentencing until June 19 at 10:30 a.m. Represented by Attorney John Leonardson, Mr. Southard was arrested by State Police, January 2, 2012.

Indicted on sex charges

Perry Pendall, 47, of Chestertown, his attorney, Marck A. Zuckerman and Columbia County DA Paul Czajka appeared in Columbia County Court the morning of May 28. Mr. Pendell was indicted on 27 counts: 9 counts of second degree rape, 9 counts of criminal sex act, 1 count of use of a child in a sexual performance and 8 counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child in connection with allegedly engaging in and recording sex acts with a 14-year-old Claverack girl, who he met over the internet. Judge Richard Koweek kept Mr. Pendell’s bail at $500,000 cash or $1 million bond and sent him back to the Columbia County Jail to await trial. Mr. Pendell’s wife and infant child were also in the courtroom.

 

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