Morning News Briefing

Former priest in Batavia listed as accused sex abuser by Buffalo Diocese.
New information has revealed that a former St. Mary’s Church Priest in Batavia was relocated following allegations of child sex abusing.
A list of 42 retired or removed priests released by the Buffalo Diocese included Donald Becker as the second name from the top.
24 of the accused pedophile priests named are already dead and many on the list were never prosecuted.
Becker pastored the church in St. Mary’s for around 12 years and in 2003 he suddenly retired for alleged medical reasons.
His retirement came shortly after church leaders agreed to the Charter for Protecting God’s Children which took a stronger stance against sex abuse allegations.
The Buffalo News reported at least three men accused Becker of molesting them as children which Becker has denied.
He is now retired living in Florida.
After releasing the list of alleged abusers yesterday, Bishop Malone dropped another 27 priests’ identities who hadn’t been publicly linked to sexual abuse allegations.
Malone was in Albany yesterday according to “The Buffalo News” lobbying with other bishops to keep a key part out of the proposed Child Victims Act that would allow child sex abuse victims to sue dioceses decades after the abuse.

Stop on 390 leads to drug arrest for three Warsaw residents.
A Deputy assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Operation Safe Interstate Initiative conducted a traffic stop on interstate 390 on Sunday.
35 year old Julie Bonham, 32 year old Samantha Smith and an unnamed 17 year old male were all arrested for alleged cocaine possession.
Further investigation revealed that Smith was also allegedly in possession of 14 vials of heroin and cocaine.
All three were charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Smith and Bonham were remanded to jail while the teen was released on his own recognizance.

The investigation of a 14 year old autistic Rochester teen found in the Genesee River is now criminal.
Yesterday the Monroe County DA’s Office and Rochester police confirmed that they are reviewing all circumstances around the disappearance and death of Trevyan Rowe.
He never showed up to class earlier this month after being dropped off by the bus and his search was severely delayed after he was marked present for class.
Three teachers have been suspended as have six 9-1-1 Center employees.
No criminal charges have been brought yet but police say they’re waiting until the investigation is done before they make that decision.

The New York State Senate is approving several pieces of legislation designed to increase protections for police, firefighters and other emergency service workers.
The so-called “Community Heroes Protection Act” was in response to recent attacks on first responders, such as last year’s fatal ambush shootings of three NYPD Officers.
The bill would make crimes committed against law enforcement, firefighters and first responders punishable as hate crimes and would increase penalties for those convicted.
The measure now goes to the state Assembly for consideration.