Friday, December 27

Author: Grace Thompson

Arrests

Niagara Falls Man Arrested in Drug Sale Investigation Following Warrant Execution

(WNY News Now) – Authorities in Niagara Falls have arrested a local man on drug charges after a targeted investigation by the Niagara County Drug Task Force.On October 25, 2024, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Antonio Scott, 45, of Niagara Falls, New York, on a felony charge of criminal sale of a controlled substance. The arrest occurred at approximately 9 a.m. at 7414 Niagara Falls Boulevard, following an investigation by the Niagara County Drug Task Force.Sheriff Michael Filicetti detailed the charge, which is classified as criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a serious felony in New York State. According to law enforcement, the warrant was executed after collecting sufficient evidence during the investigation, leading to Scott’s arrest...
Rochester Man Sentenced for Assaulting Federal Officers Amid Protests
Assault

Rochester Man Sentenced for Assaulting Federal Officers Amid Protests

(WNY News Now) – A Rochester man who admitted to participating in violent protests and assaulting officers has been sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison.ROCHESTER, N.Y. — JohnMichael Santiago, 25, of Rochester, New York, was sentenced to 33 months in prison after pleading guilty to civil disorder and assaulting a federal officer, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced. Santiago’s conviction stems from a series of protests that escalated into confrontations with law enforcement in September 2020, following the public release of information regarding Daniel Prude’s death in police custody.Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Moynihan detailed that on September 4, 2020, protests began in Rochester in response to the Prude case, with a group of demonstrators damaging property and overtu...
Community Concerns

$2.25 Million Settlement: Attorney General James Takes Action to Safeguard Patient Data from Cyberattacks

(WNY News Now) – New York Attorney General Letitia James has secured a landmark $2.25 million agreement with Albany ENT & Allergy Services (AENT) following two significant cyberattacks that compromised the medical records of over 200,000 patients.NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today secured $2.25 million from a Capital Region health care provider, Albany ENT & Allergy Services, P.C. (AENT) for failing to protect the private information and medical data of New Yorkers. In 2023, AENT suffered two cyberattacks that compromised the medical records of over 200,000 New York patients. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that AENT did not maintain reasonable safeguards to protect patient data and did not adequately respond to the cyberattacks on its systems. ...
Arrests

Man Charged with Assault, Robbery, and Attempted Kidnapping on Route 60 in Gerry

(WNY News Now) – A Sinclairville man faces multiple felony charges following a violent incident on Route 60 in Gerry, where authorities allege he assaulted a victim with a dangerous object.Gerry, N.Y. – On the night of October 28, 2024, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported assault along Route 60 in the Town of Gerry at approximately 10:00 p.m. Upon arrival, deputies found a serious incident involving allegations of assault, robbery, and attempted kidnapping.According to the Sheriff’s Office, 47-year-old Robert Henry Jr. of Sinclairville, New York, allegedly attacked the victim, inflicting serious physical injuries using a dangerous object. Law enforcement reports also claim that during the assault, Henry forcibly took property from the victim and attempted to kidn...
Napoli Man Arrested on Aggravated Family Offense and Child Endangerment Charges
Arrests

Napoli Man Arrested on Aggravated Family Offense and Child Endangerment Charges

(WNY News Now) – A domestic disturbance in Napoli escalated into an arrest on October 23, leaving one man facing multiple charges, including aggravated harassment and child endangerment.Napoli, N.Y. – On October 23, 2024, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a residence on Allegany Road in Napoli, New York. Following an investigation, Levi J. Brown, 47, was arrested on charges of Aggravated Family Offense, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Aggravated Harassment.According to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrived at the scene at approximately 12:45 p.m. They found that Brown had allegedly struck and spit on the victim in front of two children present in the home. This prompted authorities to file charges of New York Penal Law 240.75 (Aggravated Family Off...
Olean Woman Charged in Alleged $3,392 Welfare Fraud Scheme
Arrests

Olean Woman Charged in Alleged $3,392 Welfare Fraud Scheme

(WNY News Now) – An investigation into alleged welfare fraud has led to the arrest of a Machias resident, accused of unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits by concealing income.Olean, N.Y. – The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Bureau has arrested 41-year-old Christine M. Villani of Machias, NY, on charges stemming from alleged welfare fraud. Following a complaint lodged by the Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services in May 2023, authorities began investigating Villani’s SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) account.The investigation revealed that Villani allegedly received $3,392.00 in benefits by withholding income details, leading to charges of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (D Felony), Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree (D Felony), and Offeri...
Salamanca Man Apprehended on Federal Warrant Following Erie Street Arrest
Arrests

Salamanca Man Apprehended on Federal Warrant Following Erie Street Arrest

(WNY News Now) – In a coordinated operation, local authorities arrested a Salamanca resident wanted on a federal warrant, with support from the U.S. Marshals Service.Salamanca, N.Y. – On the morning of October 25, 2024, Sheriff Eric A. Butler reported the apprehension of Thomas R. Priviglian, age 51, at his residence on Erie Street in Salamanca, New York. Local deputies, responding to a known federal warrant, arrived at Priviglian’s address at approximately 10:00 a.m. for a warrant attempt.Upon arrival, deputies successfully located and identified Priviglian, who had an active warrant from the United States District Court. Following standard protocol, Priviglian was taken into custody without incident and subsequently handed over to U.S. Marshals for arraignment.The warrant, issued by Judg...
Jamestown Resident Arrested in Early Morning DWI Incident: Third Offense Within a Year
Arrests

Jamestown Resident Arrested in Early Morning DWI Incident: Third Offense Within a Year

(WNY News Now) – A routine traffic stop on Forest Ave. early Monday led Jamestown officers to arrest a local woman for driving while intoxicated, marking her third DWI charge this year.Jamestown, N.Y. – In the early hours of October 28, Jamestown Police officers from the Third Platoon conducted a traffic stop on Forest Ave. at approximately 2:17 a.m. The vehicle, driven by Krista J. Jones, a 33-year-old Jamestown resident, was flagged due to a suspended registration. The routine stop quickly escalated when officers noted signs of impairment.During the stop, Jones was subjected to field sobriety tests, which she reportedly failed, leading officers to take her into custody on charges of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). A background check revealed that Jones’ New York State driving privileges...
FeedMore WNY Breaks Ground on New Headquarters: A Game Changer in the Fight Against Hunger
Community

FeedMore WNY Breaks Ground on New Headquarters: A Game Changer in the Fight Against Hunger

(WNY News Now) – Construction has officially begun on FeedMore WNY’s new regional headquarters, a project set to significantly enhance food distribution and support services for those in need across Western New York.Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the start of construction for FeedMore WNY’s new expansion project that will address the nonprofit’s dire space constraints, enabling it to strengthen and grow its programs and build brighter futures for Western New Yorkers of all ages experiencing food insecurity and joblessness. The total project cost is not to exceed $107 million. FeedMore WNY is a nonprofit regional food bank and meal-delivery provider that supports nearly 400 pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters and other hunger-relief agencies throughout Erie, Niagara,...
U.S. Attorney Appoints District Election Officer to Safeguard 2024 Election Integrity
Election 2024

U.S. Attorney Appoints District Election Officer to Safeguard 2024 Election Integrity

Mobile Users Click Here For Video(WNY News Now) – In preparation for the 2024 general election, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross has designated Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno as the District Election Officer for Western New York to address election security and safeguard voters’ rights.BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced that Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno will lead the efforts of her Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Bonanno has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Western District of New York, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns...