Two people taken into custody, one charged, in two Dunkirk drug busts...
Two people from Dunkirk have been arrested during a pair of drug raids in the north county city... which resulted in the seizure of a significant amount of drugs. Sheriff's officers say narcotics investigators with the Sheriff's Department and Dunkirk and Jamestown police executed the search warrants at 114 South Gazelle St., and 704 Park Ave. about 8 a.m. Thursday. At 114 South Gazelle... police found 48 year-old Germaine Dias... and, 69 year-old Joseph Szach. During their search... investigators seized 30.3-grams of cocaine, 128.6-grams of crack cocaine, 4.5-grams of fentanyl... a quantity of hydrocodone and suboxone, scales and packaging material used for the sale and distribution drugs... along with $359 cash. Dias is charged with one count of second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a Controlled Substance... second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia... and, seventh-degree criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. No charges have been placed against Szach at this time. Dias was taken to the Dunkirk Police station pending arraignment. More arrests are pending. Anyone with information on drug, or other criminal activity is asked to call the Sheriff's Department Tip line at 1-800-344-8702 or 664-2420.
Brocton man arrested on illegal weapons and drug possession charges...
A Brocton man has been arrested... and, an assault rifle and handgun seized... during a drug raid in the north county village late Tuesday afternoon. Sheriff's officers say 44 year-old Jean Rodriquez-Diaz was arrested during a traffic stop that led to a search of his vehicle on Route 20 shortly before 6 p.m. Shortly after that... search warrants were executed at 267 Lake Shore Drive East in Dunkirk... and, Rodriguez-Diaz's apartment at 32 Fay St. in Brocton. Narcotics investigators with the Sheriff's Department and Dunkirk and Jamestown police seized a quantity of cocaine, scales and packaging material for the sale and distribution of narcotics, an assault rifle with two high-capacity magazines and ammunition... along with a 9-mm Glock handgun with five high-capacity magazines and ammunition. Rodriguez-Diaz is charged with second-degree criminal Possession of a Weapon... seven counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon... criminal possession of a firearm... seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. Rodriguez-Diaz was jailed pending arraignment.
CHQ Chamber hosting elected officials Luncheon...
The CHQ Chamber is hosting three elected officials this afternoon for a question-and-answer session covering policy issues related to the local business community. Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Heitzenrater says the organization's inaugural Elected Officials Luncheon is taking place at Chautauqua Suites in Mayville. Heitzenrater says this luncheon will serve as a combination of past Chamber events featuring elected officials... where they had county, state and congressional leaders at three separate events. Heitzenrater says the elected officials who will be there are state Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor... and, County Executive P.J. Wendel.
Repeat Child Pornography offender pleads guilty to new federal charge...
A city man already sentenced to 17-and-a-half years in federal prison for child pornography has now pleaded guilty to a new child porn charge in federal court in Buffalo. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo says 24 year-old Brandon Uber entered the guilty plea Thursday before U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo to possession of child pornography involving a pre-pubescent minor. Prosecutors say in late August of last year... federal agents raided Uber's home after finding child porn files he had uploaded to a KIK (Kick) application server. During the search... they seized various electronic devices... including three tablets and a laptop. At the time, Uber was a member of a KIK chat forum used to trade child porn with other users... and, he was accused of using the forum to distribute child porn to other users... and, was a moderator of the forum at one point. A further look at the seized devices recovered approximately 33 images... and, five videos of child porn... some depicting the sexual exploitation of an infant or toddler and violence against children. At the time... Uber was awaiting sentencing on the distribution charge... and, was later sentenced to 210 months. He faces another 20 years in prison... and, a $250,000 fine when he's sentenced on the new charge on Dec. 15.
Juvenile driver injured in Stockton crash...
A juvenile driver was injured in a single-car crash in the town of Stockton late last night. Sheriff's officers were called to the scene of a car off the roadway on the Stockton-Hartfield Road about 11 p.m. Deputies say they found that the unidentified, juvenile driver had been injured... and, they were taken to Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk for treatment of non life-threatening injuries. No charges have been filed at this time.
