Weekend News Brief
Written by Doug Thompson on June 24, 2023
Jeremy Ives
48-year-old Jeremy Ives of Batavia has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison. In addition to charges of menacing, he was also found guilty of attempted first-degree assault with a weapon. His arrest came a week after Ives shot two people at the 7-11 on East Main and Elm Street, last August. According to police, Ives fired a single shot, injuring two people. One of the victims was transported to the hospital, where they were treated and later released. The other victim was treated on scene and released. Following the shooting, Ives fled the scene in a vehicle with other passengers. It is alleged that one of those passengers attempted to exit the vehicle multiple times. However, the jury acquitted Ives of a kidnapping charge because it turned out, Ives knew the victims in the incident. Ives was also sentenced to 5 years of Post Release Supervision.
A Rochester firefighter is facing child pornography charges, according to the U.S. Western District Court of New York. 31-year-old Brett Marrapese of Irondequoit is charged with production, distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography, including some from minors less than 12 years old. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said it received tips that someone was uploading child pornography online, and when New York State Police began investigating, they found the IP address traced back to an internet service used by the Rochester Fire Department. Troopers interviewed several firefighters between 2016 and 2021, including Marrapese, who both times denied ever viewing the content.
On March 20, 2023, the Irondequoit Police Department got a report from the father of a 13-year-old girl who had been talking someone on Snapchat that she believed was a minor, named “thatdude_2790.” The report states that person convinced the girl to send sexually-explicit pictures and videos of herself. During the investigation, police identified another youth who had also been persuaded to send explicit videos of themselves by that same person, some being sent to the Instagram user “Taylorsimpson2419.”
Investigators executed multiple search warrants of the two accounts used in those chats, and found that Marrapese, who was posing as a teenager, was behind the account. Police reportedly found he had communicated with at least 110 minors, convincing many of them to send him child pornography.
Search warrants were executed on Marrapese’s home, camper, vehicle, and lockers at the RFD on June 13, 2023. They seized several devices, including a cell phone they believe was involved in the prior NYSP investigation.
In all, nearly 1,400 images and over 100 videos of child pornography were recovered from that device. Some of the images and videos reportedly depict sexual abuse of toddlers.
Prosecutors said they also found pictures of minors that were secretly taken, and images of children that were cropped to make it appear they were engaging in sexual conduct with adults.
Authorities are asking anone with information on Marrapese, his alleged Instagram account “Taylorsimpson2419,” or alleged Snapchat account “thatdude_2790” to contact the FBI tipline at (585) 279-0085.
Marrapese made an initial appearance in court and is being held in custody for a detention hearing. Each charge he faces carry a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
53-year-old Gary Dewind of Bergen has been arrested for assault following a domestic incident in Darien. Sheriffs brought him to the Genesee County Jail where he’s being held pending CAP Court arraignment.
New Yorkers who like to fish can take part in the very popular activity at no cost this weekend. This is the second free fishing weekend of 2023, which means no license is required to participate. Governor Hochul says free fishing days give people the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty that is found in every corner of the state. The other free fishing days this year are September 23rd and November 11th.
The Genesee County Health Department has scheduled another anti-rabies clinic. There is no charge for the vaccine, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal at all times. Limit 4 pets per car. The next anti-rabies clinic will be at the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Thursday, August 10th from 4:00pm to 6:30pm. (The next one after that will be in the same location on Thursday, October 12th, from 4:00pm to 6:30pm). For more information, visit GOHealthNY.org or call 344-2580 (x5555).
The Muckdogs defeated the Newark Pilots on Friday night; the final score was 3 to 2 in what was best described as a defensive contest. Batavia returns to Dwyer tonight to host the Elmira Pioneers. The game starts at 6:35. The Muckdogs take the field for Sunday’s home game against the Geneva Red Wings at 4:05.
Meteorologist Mark McLean
13WHAM Weather Authority Forecast
Saturday:
Mostly cloudy and still humid. Passing showers, localized downpours, and isolated thunder. Highs in the upper 70’s. Wind: NW 7-15 mph
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Lows in the mid-60’s. Wind: NW/SW 5-10 mph
Sunday:
Early morning sun, becoming mostly cloudy with scattered thundershowers in the evening. More localized downpours possible. High in the low 80’s. Wind: SW/NE 3-8 mph
ELSEWHERE…
Back to the beginning: Vanna White and Pat Sajak, 1982
Pat Sajak may be retiring, but Vanna White wants to keep on spinning the wheel. The ‘Wheel of Fortune’ co-host is reportedly in talks with production to stay on the show. While details have yet to be released, sources say White is looking for a pay increase. Her salary has stayed the same over the last 18 years, with her making $3,000,000 (million) a year compared to Sajak’s $15,000,000. Earlier this month, Sajak announced he’d be retiring from his role as the show’s host after 41 seasons. (NBC Photo)
Debris field found under the red arrow
Investigators are continuing to search for any insight into how a “catastrophic implosion” killed all five passengers aboard the Titan submersible. Officials have yet to conclusively determine whether the devastating implosion occurred at the moment when the submersible stopped communicating about 1 hour and 45 minutes into its dive. The Coast Guard confirmed yesterday that a debris field had been found at the sea floor not far from the wreckage of the Titanic, where the deep sea vessel was headed to explore.
US Intelligence agencies are still divided on where COVID-19 came from. On Friday, a new report was released from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on the origins of the pandemic. Five intelligence agencies, including the National Intelligence Council, believe natural exposure to an infected animal is the most likely cause. However, the FBI and the Department of Energy concluded a laboratory-associated incident was a more likely scenario for the first human infection. The CIA says it was unable to determine the precise origin of the pandemic, as all the theories “rely on significant assumptions” or face “conflicting reporting.”
Tom Brokaw talking about his current state of health in CBS interview.
Legendary news anchor Tom Brokaw is opening up about his battle with incurable blood cancer. In an interview with CBS News set to air this weekend, Brokaw talked about how he has battled the cancer for a decade, adding that doctors didn’t think he would make it to his current age of 83. He added that the disease forced him to walk away from NBC in 2021, a network he had worked for since 1966.
Today is Saturday, June 24th, the 175th day of the year.
June 24 in history…
Kenneth Arnold holds a drawing of the UFO he reports to have seen.
…In 1947, Kenneth Arnold reported seeing flying saucers over Washington’s Mount Rainier. It was the first time such occurrences were noted.
Approved in 1964; the warning became a mandatory addition to cigarette packages in 1965.
…In 1964, the Federal Trade Commission announced mandatory warning labels on cigarette packages starting in 1965.
…In 1982, the Supreme Court ruled that a president can’t be sued for actions while in office.
Jackie Gleason in the film, “Gigot” (1962)
…In 1987, show business legend Jackie Gleason died at the age of 71. His long career in television and movies included the “The Honeymooners,” “Gigot,” “The Hustler” and “Smokey and the Bandit.”
Matt Lauer with Tom Cruise, 2005 on the ‘Today Show’
…In 2005, in a heated on-air exchange with NBC “Today” show host Matt Lauer, actor Tom Cruise criticized Lauer of being “glib” and not understanding the concepts of Scientology. He also criticized the practice of psychiatry, and attacked actress Brooke Shields for taking anti-depressants for postpartum depression. Cruise said vitamins and exercise are better for people than anti-depressants.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2020
…In 2020, New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo announced travelers from nine states would have to quarantine for two weeks before being allowed throughout the state.
