North county man pleds guilty to federal Child Porn charges, faces 24 local charges for allegedly raping seven young girls...
A north county man convicted on child pornography charges also faces life in prison for allegedly sexually abusing and raping seven young girls in the Fredonia and Silver Creek areas. During a press conference in Mayville this morning... Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said 25 year-old Dustin Post was indicted by the county Grand Jury earlier this week on 24 Felony state and local charges. He says they include 11 of predatory sexual assault against a child, 9 of first-degree criminal sexual act, and four of first-degree rape. Schmidt says the victims were between the ages of 1 and 12... and, were all from the north county area. U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Junior was also at the press conference... and, says the investigation began in 2019 after the mother of an 8 year-old victim filed a complaint with State Police. Kennedy says the child was interviewed two days later, and detailed the encounters with Post. He adds that Post pled guilty to five federal counts of production, and possession of child pornography for video taping several of the incidents, and posting them on the Internet. When sentenced in October... Kennedy says Post faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison... a maximum of 50... and, a $250,000 fine. He's currently jailed on $1-million cash bail.
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District Attorney Jason Schmidt says Post is going to trial locally in about six-months. In the meantime... he says his office want's to hear from other alleged victims. Schmidt says it's likely there may be more they are not aware of. To contact the D-A's Office... call 753-4241.
City man arrested following violent Domestic Incident...
A Jamestown man is accused of holding a woman down on the ground, and choking her during a domestic violence incident on the city's westside last night. City police were called to a Baker Street location about 8 p.m., and, learned that 34 year-old Steven Bates held the unidentified woman on the ground -- by the neck -- making it difficult to breath. Bates was also found inside the home... and, he was arrested after initially pulling away from officers. He's charged with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, second-degree unlawful imprisonment, second degree obstruction, and endangering the welfare of a child. Bates was jailed pending arraignment.
Two detained following drug raid on Jamestown home...
Jamestown police have detained two people after they were found during a drug raid at a northside home Monday afternoon. City police say members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force raided the home at 35 Stowe St. about 2:20 p.m., and, detained the two unidentified occupants. They also found a quantity of Fentanyl, digital scales, packaging materials, and cash. Officers say the investigation is continuing... and, charges are pending. The Task Force was assisted by the JPD K-9 Unit... the county's K-9... Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force... Ellicott Town Police and the JPD SWAT Team. Anyone with information on illegal drug activity in the city is urged to call the JPD Tip line at 483-8477.
Lakewood resident arrested for harassment, child endangerment...
A resident of the village of Lakewood has been arrested on charges of harassment and child endangerment stemming from the alleged assault of a 14 year-old back on May 1. Lakewood-Busti Police were called to the scene in the village... and, found the incident was captured on a property owner's Ring Door camera system. Officers recently obtained an arrest warrant for 52 year-old Karan Chopra, who was issued appearance tickets for Busti Town Court. Police were assisted by the Chautauqua County Child Protective Services, and the Child Advocacy Program of Chautauqua County.
Teenager shot and killed during incident near Governor's Mansion in Albany...
Police say a 15-year-old girl was fatally shot in Albany after a group meeting arranged on social media ended with a confrontation. Police say Destiny Greene of Latham was at the meeting in the area of Wilbur Street at about 9:30 p.m. Monday with two adults and another minor. Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins says some kind of confrontation broke out between Greene's group and two or three young men. Shortly after shots were fired, a staff member at Albany Memorial Hospital told police Greene had been brought to the emergency room... but, later died at the hospital.
County Health Dept. reports 20 new COVID-19 cases and one new death...
The Chautauqua County Health Department is reporting 20 new confirmed cases of COVID-19... and, one new death. Officials say a spike of 14 cases in the Mayville area fueled the increase. They say there have now been a total of 9,222 cases... and, the one death brings that number to 154. Officials add that 9,005 cases have now recovered. In addition... 63 cases are currently active, and three of those are hospitalized. The infection rate is now 1.1-percent.
Long-time SUNY Fredona coach and administrator Patrick Damore passes at age 90...
While he was a long-time Fredonia State athletics coach, administrator and former conference commissioner, Dr. Patrick Damore also played a big role in village government in Fredonia. Dr. Damore passed away last Sunday at the age of 90. Fredonia Mayor Doug Essek was asked about Damore's contribution to the community-at-large, including his tenure on the village board Essek says it's very sad to hear about his passing. He says Damore also worked a lot with their Recreation Dept. as well. Essek says he was also devoted to keeping the village trolley on the road.
