Cortland County Sheriff's Office

Weather Alert National Weather Service-Binghamton Freezing rain and sleet will overspread NY and PA this afternoon and tonight, causing roads and walkways to become slick.... Starting with a bang for the new year. Snow and a wintery mix is expected tomorrow that will transition to freezing rain Friday afternoon/evening. Hazardous travel conditions are expected Friday evening/night. For updates, visit https://weather.gov/bgm/. #nywx #pawx

Happy New Year 2020 certainly has been a challenging year for all of us, may 2021 bring a newfound sense of hope for everyone that brighter days are ahead. May peace and prosperity find all of you. Happy New Year from the Cortland County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Mark Helms

Happy Holidays The Cortland County Sheriff's Office would like to wish everyone, a Happy and Healthy Holidays.

Thank you Thank you to Ford Motors for the donation of disposable masks and thank you to the New York State Sheriff's Association for helping distribute them to all the Sheriff's Offices across New York State.

Ringing the Bell Undersheriff Budd Rigg and Captain Nick Lynch help ring the bell at Walmart on Friday.

Ringing the Bell Lieutenant Garry Williams and Officer Cody Sandy help out at Walmart yesterday.

Cortland County Sheriff's Office New Release Defendant Name: James E. Oaster, 32 ... Address : Town of Dewitt, New York Charge{s} : Driving While Intoxicated (Felony) Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated BAC .18% or more (Felony) Drove Across Hazard Markings (Infraction) Date Arrested : 10/31/2020 at 3:06 PM Jurisdiction : Town of Marathon Arraign. Info : Issued tickets to appear in Town of Marathon Court 11/18/20 at 6:30 PM ROR/Bail/$ : Released to third party Brief Narrative of Incident: On October 31st, 2020 shortly after 2:30 PM, Officers of the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle complaint in the Village of Marathon of an intoxicated male operating a vehicle on Route 11. Officer’s checked the area and located the vehicle in a ditch approximately a mile north of the Broome County line. The operator of the vehicle, James E. Oaster, was uninjured in the accident. Officers determined Mr. Oaster was operating the vehicle while intoxicated. Mr. Oaster was arrested and transported to the Public Safety Building where he was processed on the above charges. Mr. Oaster’s DWI charges are felonies due to two previous driving while intoxicated convictions within the last 10 years. Mr. Oaster was released on Traffic Tickets in accordance with New York State bail reform. Mr. Oaster is scheduled to appear in Marathon Town Court on November 18th, 2020 at 6:30 PM.

Cortland County Sheriff's Office New Release Defendant Name : Anthony F. Lasinski ... Age : 42 Address : Mexico NY Charge{s} : Criminal Contempt in the First Degree (Felony) Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Felony) Unlawful Imprisonment (Misdemeanor) Menacing in the Second Degree (Misdemeanor) Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree (Misdemeanor) Harassment in the Second Degree (Violation) Date Arrested : October 29, 2019 9:58 AM Jurisdiction : Town of Preble Arraign. Info : CAP ROR/Bail/$ : held No Bail at CAP arraignment Brief Narrative of Incident: On October 26, 2020, officers from the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Marybelle Trailer Park for a not in progress domestic disturbance. Through the investigation, it was determined the defendant had violated a full stay away order of protection on two occasions earlier in the month. During one of the incidents, the defendant engaged in a physical altercation with the victim before threatening them with a weapon. An arrest warrant was obtained for the defendant and he was arrested for the above charges. Mr. Lasinski was held at Cortland County Jail with no bail at the CAP arraignment. Mr. Lasinski appeared in Cortland County Court for a Bail hearing and was released on his own recognizance. Mr. Lasinski is due to appear in Preble Town Court on 11/10/20 at 6:00 PM.

Ringing the Bell Officer Debra Barber and Officer Isaiah Prior help out at Walmart yesterday.

Tomorrow is Election Day Tomorrow, Tuesday November 3rd is Election Day, please remember to vote, polling places are open in New York State from 6am - 9pm. No matter, who you choose to vote for, your vote is important.

Cortland County Sheriff's Office New Release Defendant Name: Katherine A. Kolut, Age 47 ... Address : Town of Cortlandville Charge{s} : Forcible Touching (Misdemeanor) Harassment in the Second Degree (Violation) Date Arrested : 10/30/20 at 1:42 AM Jurisdiction : Town of Cortlandville Arrested By : Cortland County Sheriff’s Office Arraign. Info : Centralized Virtual Arraignment ROR/Bail/$ : ROR Brief Narrative of Incident: On October 30th, 2020 at approximately 1:14 AM, Officers from the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Alexandria Drive in the Town of Cortlandville for a domestic complaint. During the investigation, Officers discovered that the defendant, Katherine A. Kolut did strike the victim and did physically grab an intimate body part of the victim. Mrs. Kolut was arrested for the above charges. Mrs. Kolut was transported to the Public Safety Building for arrest processing and was held for an arraignment. Mrs. Kolut was arraigned through CAP and released on her own recognizance. Mrs. Kolut is due to appear in the Cortlandville Town Court on 11/02/2020 at 11:00 AM.

Cortland County Sheriff's Office New Release Defendant Name: Chelin N. Kash, age 28 ... Address : Town of Homer, New York Charge{s} : Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th (Misdemeanor) Criminally Possessing a Hypodermic Instrument (Misdemeanor) Date Arrested : 10/27/2020 at 3:15 PM Jurisdiction : City of Cortland Arraign. Info : Arraigned at Centralized Arraignment Processing where she was released and is scheduled to return to the City of Cortland Court 12/4/20 at 9:00 AM. ROR/Bail/$ : ROR’d Brief Narrative of Incident: On October 27, 2020 at about 3:15 PM, Officers of the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office responded to Colonial Laundromat, 13 River Street, in the City of Cortland after identifying a subject with an active arrest warrant. Upon arrival, Officer’s located Chelin N. Kash, who had an active arrest warrant for Petit Larceny. Ms. Kash was arrested and while being taken into custody was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and a hypodermic instrument. Ms. Kash was transported to the Public Safety Building for arrest processing and held for an arraignment. Ms. Kash was released and is scheduled to appear to the City of Cortland Court on 12/4/20 at 9:00 A.M.

Cortland County Sheriff's Office New Release Scam Alert! ... The Cortland County Sheriff’s Office has received complaints of individuals receiving phone calls in which the caller is impersonating Officers of our agency. The scammers are stating that if the caller does not comply with certain orders a Warrant will be issued for their arrest. The telephone numbers that are being used appear to come from the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office, but are not legitimate. Do not provide the Scammers with any personal information, send any money or provide any credit/gift card number. As a reminder, law enforcement agencies will not contact the public and ask for money directly. If you or someone you know get a call like this, hang up and let local law enforcement know.

Cortland County Sheriff's Office New Release Defendant Name : ELIJAH J. CLOSSON ... Address : NY ROUTE 26 TOWN OF TAYLOR Age : 41 Charge{s} : RAPE 1ST (CLASS B FELONY) CRIMINAL SEX ACT 1ST (CLASS B FELONY) UNLAWFUL IMPRISONMENT 2ND (CLASS A MISDEMEANOR) CRIMINAL POSS. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 7TH (CLASS A MISDEMEANOR) Date Arrested : 10/30/2020 Jurisdiction : TOWN OF TAYLOR Arrested By : CPO N. TESTA / SERGEANT A.D. PHELPS Arraign. Info : ARRAIGNED AT CENTRAL ARRAIGNMENT 10/30/2020 2015 HOURS ROR/Bail/$ : REMANDED TO CORTLAND COUNTY JAIL $30,000 CASH / $60,000 BAIL BOND Brief Narrative of Incident: Officers from the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation in to a Rape complaint that occurred in the Town of Taylor, the incident was reported on September 16th 2020. The investigation revealed that the defendant had engaged in sexual acts with one victim who was known to him. It was also found that the defendant had physically restrained the victim and did not allow them to leave the residence. Defendant was not able to be located at the time of the complaint; therefore an Arrest Warrant was requested and issued for the charges of Rape 1st Degree, Criminal Sex Act 1st Degree, and Unlawful Imprisonment 2nd Degree. Defendant was located by Officers from this Office on October 30th 2020 and at the time of arrest he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Defendant was arraigned at Centralized Arraignment and was remanded to the Cortland County Jail on $30,000 dollars cash bail or $60,000 bail bond. Defendant’s next Court date is scheduled for November 4th 2020 at 7: 00 PM at the Town of Cincinnatus Court.

Please come enjoy some great food for a great cause.

Cortland County Sheriff's Office New Release CORTLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE... Defendant Names: Daniel K.T. Layne, 20 East Avenue, Cortland, New York Ryan L. Auzans, 24 Homeless Charge{s}: : Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (D Felony) Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree (A Misdemeanor) Two Counts - Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 5th (A Misdemeanor) Date Arrested : 10/25/2020 12:53 AM Jurisdiction : Town of Cortlandville Arrested By : Investigator/Sergeant Peter A. Wright Arraign. Info : Arraigned on 10/25/2020 at 10:00 AM ROR/Bail/$ : Released and scheduled to appear in the Town of Cortlandville Court on November 16th 2020 at 11:00 AM. Brief Narrative of Incident: On 10/25/2020 at 12:08 AM, Officers from the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported stolen vehicle complaint at a local business in the Town of Cortlandville. Upon arrival, Officers located the defendants in the vicinity of the business. Through the Officers investigation, it was determined both defendants had gained access to a vehicle in the parking lot and attempted to leave with the vehicle. The vehicle was driven and parked a short distance from the location of the business. The defendants attempted to leave the area on foot before being apprehended without incident. The defendants were arraigned and released. The defendants are scheduled to appear in the Town of Cortlandville Court on November 16th 2020 at 11:00 AM.

Cortland County Sheriff's Office New Release CORTLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT. NEWS RELEASE... Defendant Name: Samuel C. Merihew Address: Marathon, NY 13803 Age: 49 Charge: Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd, B Felony (2) counts of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia 2nd (M) (3) counts of Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer (M) Resisting Arrest (M) Obstruction of Gov’t Administration (M) Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of Motor Vehicle and several vehicle and traffic violations. Date Arrested: October 22nd, 2020 Jurisdiction: Town of Freetown, Town of Cortlandville and Town of Homer ROR/Bail/$: Held Arrested By : Sgt./Inv. Gallagher Arraign. Info : Defendant was arraigned on October 22nd, 2020 through the Centralized Arraignment Facility at the Cortland County Jail and was held without bail to appear at a later dates in the Town of Freetown, Town of Homer and Town of Cortlandville Courts. Narrative: On Thursday, October 22nd, 2020, the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office assisted the City of Cortland Police Department with locating Samuel C. Merihew after he fled from city officers on a motorcycle. Mr. Merihew was wanted for an outstanding parole warrant issued by the State of New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. At the time of Mr. Merihew’s arrest, it was determined that Mr. Merihew was operating a motorcycle with a revoked license. Mr. Merihew was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance and in possession of drug paraphernalia. Mr. Merihew was arrested for the outstanding parole warrant and also arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, three counts of Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer, Obstruction of Gov’t Administration, Resisting Arrest, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 2nd degree and several vehicle and traffic violations. Mr. Merihew was arraigned through the Centralized Arraignment process at the Cortland County Jail and held pending further court appearances.

Let's have a safe Halloween For Immediate Release Date 10/29/20... Contact Information: 607-758-5599 Cortland County to Participate in Statewide STOP-DWI Halloween Crackdown Enforcement Effort Impaired Driving Crackdown runs 10/30/20 11/1/20 Cortland County Sheriff Mark E. Helms announced today that Cortland County police agencies will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving. Halloween is meant to be scary, but not when it comes to driving. When it comes to drunk driving Halloween can turn the roads into a horror fest. While we spend time trick or treating and hosting parties with our loved ones, law enforcement officers across New York State will take to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives. The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Friday October 30th and will end on Sunday November 1st. New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force. Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem. The STOP-DWI Halloween Weekend Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by STOP-DWI NY and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Throughout the remainder of the year the Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign will also target Thanksgiving and the national Holiday Season in December. (STOP-DWI Coordinator quote.) While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving. You can help to make a difference by Having a Sober Plan! Download our mobile app Have a Plan and you will always be able to find a safe ride home www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp Impaired driving is completely preventable. All it takes is a little planning. Have a safe and happy Halloween Weekend!

Congratulations to Officer Brandon McCall on his graduation from the Broome County Sheriff's Office Corrections Academy. (pictured along with Captain Nick Lynch.)

Wayne Hansen has been a dispatcher with Cortland County for over 12 years, please show your support. Our thoughts are with him and his family in their time of need. Get well soon, Wayne.

Cortland County Sheriff's Office New Release Defendant Name: Napoleon L. Tetreault, Age 53 ... Address : Town of Taylor Charge{s} : Burglary in the Third Degree (Felony) Petit Larceny (Misdemeanor) Date Arrested : 10-17-2020 1:27 Jurisdiction : Town of Cortlandville Arrested By : Cortland County Sheriff’s Office Arraign. Info : Centralized Arraignment Process on 10-17-2020 at 8:30 AM ROR/Bail/$ : Remanded to Cortland County Jail without bail Brief Narrative of Incident: On October 16th, 2020 officers from the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 7-Eleven at 76 North Main Street in the City of Cortland to assist Cortland Police Department with an investigation. Over the course of the investigation it was discovered that the defendant, Napoleon Tetreault, had stolen merchandise from Tops Friendly Market located at 3932 State Route 281 in the Town of Cortlandville on October 15th, 2020. The investigation later revealed that Mr. Tetreault had been arrested and trespassed for stealing from Tops on 10/11/20. An arrest warrant was signed by the Cortlandville Town Court on 10/16/2020. Mr. Tetreault was arrested on October 17th, 2020 for the above charges. Mr. Tetreault was arraigned through centralized arraignment and remanded to the Cortland County Jail without bail. Mr. Tetreault was scheduled to appear before the Town of Cortlandville Court on October 19, 2020 at 11:00 A.M.