Friday News Brief
Written by Doug Thompson on March 8, 2024
Aaron Fix
On 3/2/2024, Aaron J. Fix, 50, of Batavia, NY, was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd degree, Resisting Arrest, Criminal Mischief 4th degree, and Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd degree. It’s alleged that Fix interfered with a Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputy, who was conducting a traffic stop on East Main Street, and a Batavia Police Officer who was assisting him. When the deputy and officer attempted to take Fix into custody, he allegedly resisted arrest. The Batavia Police Officer was injured during the altercation and a piece of the officer’s equipment was damaged. Fix was arraigned in CAP Court and released. He is due back in court on 3/12/2024. This incident remains under investigation and additional charges may be filed.
On 3/4/2024, Robert P. Tomaszewski, 56, of Batavia, NY, was arrested for DWI. Tomaszewski was arrested after an investigation into a traffic stop on River Street on 2/2/2024. It’s alleged that he was operating a vehicle, while intoxicated by alcohol. Tomaszewski was issued several traffic tickets and released. He is due in court, on 3/20/2024.
On 3/1/2024, Alicia M. Lyons, 44, of Batavia, NY, was arrested for Trespass. Lyons allegedly trespassed on the property at Kwik Fill on Jackson and Ellicott Street after previously being banned from the store. She was issued an appearance ticket and released. On 3/2/2024, Lyons was again arrested for trespassing at Kwik Fill. She was issued another appearance ticket and is due in court, on 3/26/2024.
On 3/4/2024, Jeanna M. Hattaway, 37, of Batavia, NY was arrested on a bench warrant. A Batavia Police Officer located Hattaway walking on Tracy Avenue and attempted to take her into custody on the warrant. Hattaway allegedly ran from police but was caught a short distance away. Hattaway was also allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine, at the time of the arrest. She was additionally charged with Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd degree, Resisting Arrest, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree. She was arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail on $3,000 cash bail, $6,000 bond, and $12,000 partially secured bond. She is due back in court, on 3/26/2024.
On 2/25/2024, Charles A. Reichert, 41, of Batavia, NY, was ticketed for the city code violation of Riding a Bicycle on a Sidewalk. Reichert was ticketed after an investigation into a personal injury accident, where Reichert was allegedly operating a bicycle on the sidewalk, before riding into the path of a vehicle. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.
On 3/5/2024, Naquan J. Shepherd, 24, of Batavia, NY, was arrested on an arrest warrant, issued by Batavia City Court. Shepherd was initially charged in January of 2024 with Harassment 2nd degree. He was issued an appearance ticket but failed to appear in court. Shepherd was arraigned in CAP Court and released. He is due back in court at a later date.
On 3/1/2024, Shane M. Ramos, 32, of Batavia, NY, was arrested and charged with Harassment 2nd degree. It’s alleged that Ramos shoved another person, during an altercation on Summit Street. He was issued an appearance ticket and released. He is due in court, on 3/12/2024.
On 3/4/2024, Monique E. Hampson, 31, of Batavia, NY, was arrested on an arrest warrant. Hampson was initially charged on 12/29/2023 with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 2nd degree after a traffic stop on West Main Street. A warrant was issued after she failed to appear in court. Hampson was arraigned in CAP Court and released. She is due in Batavia City Court, at a later date.
On 2/26/2024, Jennifer N. Wilson, 36, of Batavia, NY, was arrested and charged with Criminal Trespass 2nd degree, Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd degree, and Resisting Arrest. It’s alleged that Wilson remained unlawfully inside a residence on Otis Street, then resisted arrest when police attempted to take her into custody. She was arraigned in CAP Court and released. She is due in Batavia City Court on 3/12/2024.
On 2/26/2024, Jonathan M. Falk, 25, of Batavia, NY, was arrested on an arrest warrant. Falk was initially charged with Petit Larceny and Conspiracy 6th degree after he and another person stole merchandise from 7-Eleven. Falk was issued an appearance ticket and failed to appear in court. He was arraigned in CAP Court and released. He is due in Batavia City Court at a later date.
On 3/2/2024, Bryce D. Klehn, 18, of Batavia, NY, is charged with Disorderly Conduct. It’s alleged that Klehn threw a lit firework onto the porch of a residence on Montclair Avenue. Klehn was issued an appearance ticket and released. He is due in Batavia City Court at a later date.
On 3/2/2024, Erica M. Esten, 36, of Oakfield, NY, is charged with Harassment 2nd degree. Esten allegedly struck another person in the face in the parking lot of Mancuso’s Bowling Center. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court, on 3/26/2024.
IN OTHER NEWS…
Charles Epps
The New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang is announcing the guilty plea of Charles Epps, a former New York State Correction Officer who collected over $35,000 in workers’ compensation indemnity benefits to which he was not entitled. Epps pleaded guilty yesterday in court and faces grand larceny and insurance fraud charges, both of which are felonies. He initially claimed to have been injured on the job but then did not reveal that he had worked as a Trailways motor coach operator while claiming disability payments.
An investigation has been launched after a man’s body was found Thursday in a Niagara County field. Town of Niagara Police were called around 4:30 yesterday afternoon to the 3000 block of Rhode Island Avenue, near Hyde Park Road and Lockport Boulevard. That’s where someone reported an unresponsive man lying in a field. Officers said the man, believed to be in his 50s, was dead at the scene. The man’s name is being withheld by police, who are in the process of notifying family members. The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office criminal investigation unit and Niagara Active Hose Fire Co. assisted at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
Anthony Nigro (center) in court during his indictment in 2022.
The trial of a New York State Trooper accused of killing a man following a police chase is now underway. Prosecutors claim Anthony Nigro the fourth, shot 38-year-old James Huber after a pursuit that ended in Buffalo over two years ago. Nigro is facing manslaughter charges, but his lawyers say that their client only opened fire because he believed his life was in danger. There is no jury for this trial, which is expected to last about a week.
Timothy Williams prepares to take the yesterday in his own defense yesterday. (13WHAM photo)
Jury deliberations will resume today in the murder trial of Timothy Williams. Yesterday, Williams took the stand in his own defense and claimed he had nothing to do with the Thanksgiving 1984 rape and murder of 14-year-old Wendy Jerome in Rochester. The 60-year-old Williams was the only witness called by his legal team. Prosecutors say DNA evidence connects Williams to the crime.
Maid of the Mist (file photo)
In just a few weeks, people will be able to once again set sail on the Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls. The 2024 season gets underway on April 4th, and the boat will operate Monday through Friday from 10 a-m until five p-m and nine a-m until six p-m on weekends during the spring. Tours will run every 30 minutes and the season is set to wrap up in November. For more details, head to maidofthemist.com.
The struggles of the Buffalo Sabres continue as the team drops its third game in a row. Owen Power and Bowen Byram had a goal each as the Sabres were defeated by the Nashville Predators 4-2 in Music City last night. Buffalo goaltender Erie Comrie struggled in net and was only able to stop 20 of the 24 shots he faced in the contest. Up next for the Sabres is a matinee game tomorrow at home against the Edmonton Oilers; face-off is at 12:30.
Remember to “spring forward” by one hour this weekend.
Daylight Saving time returns early Sunday morning. Before going to bed Saturday night, make sure you turn the clocks that don’t automatically adjust for it, ahead one hour.
This weekend is a good time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors.
Daylight saving time begins Sunday, and the American Red Cross says the clock change should serve as a reminder for people to test the batteries in their smoke alarms. Experts say doing so can help prevent a tragedy in your home if there is a fire. It’s also recommended that everyone practice their fire escape plan to make sure they know a way out of their residence in case of an emergency. For more life-saving tips, go to redcross.org.
Please play responsibly.
The Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots continue to surge and are now at a combined $1.2 billion. The top prize up for grabs in tonight’s Mega Millions drawing is $687 million, which is one the largest in the game’s history. And the jackpot for Powerball tomorrow is $521 million. Both drawings will be streamed live online. Please play responsibly.
ELSEWHERE…
A bill that could ban TikTok is advancing out of committee. The House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously voted to advance the bipartisan bill. It would require the popular social media app’s China-based parent company ByteDance to divest the app. Wisconsin Republican Mike Gallagher and Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced the “Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act” earlier this week. If the bill gets passed into law, ByteDance would then have about five months to sell TikTok before the ban goes into effect.
