Latest news with #OntarioCountyCourt
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Former Geneva American Legion Post commander accused of stealing $100K
GENEVA, NY — The former commander of the Geneva American Legion Winnek Post 396 who was arrested nearly a year ago has now been indicted on a felony grand larceny charge. Dale Henry Mosher is charged with one count of second-degree grand larceny, a class C felony, Ontario County District Attorney James Ritts and Assistant District Attorney Kelly Wolford announced Tuesday. Mosher is scheduled to be arraigned April 17 in Ontario County Court. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison. Mosher is accused of stealing more than $100,000 from the organization from Jan. 1, 2017, through May 30, 2023. 'Stealing from a service group such as this, our veterans, is something that will not be tolerated and will not go unpunished,' Ritts said. 'There will be accountability." The arrest last April came after an internal financial audit of the veterans organization and 10-month investigation involving the Ontario County Sheriff's Office. Wolford said she could not get into specifics on what Mosher spent the money on or how it was taken, but said this was not one theft but lots of little thefts over time. 'It was very clear that it was being used for personal use,' Wolford said. AJ Fratto, the post's current commander, said funding is 'incredibly crucial' to the organization. 'We live and die by every fish fry, to be honest with you,' said Fratto, referring to one of the organization's fundraisers. 'We're really hoping that people realize and understand how important it is to have something like an American Legion that represents veterans, families, the community and children ... We want to maintain the traditions and it's really difficult to do that when you have people stealing from you, especially your own kind.' Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Dale Henry Mosher indicted on felony theft charge in Ontario County NY
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
DA's office explains why Sam Nordquist's torture death is not a hate crime
NEW YORK (PIX11) – New York's Ontario County Court issued a seven-page indictment on Wednesday, providing new details about the death of Sam Nordquist. Officials also explained why the case was not classified as a hate crime, a question that has troubled the LGBTQ+ community. Sam Nordquist, a transgender man, was found dead in a farmer's field in upstate New York on Feb. 14 about a week after his family reported him missing. Seven individuals are accused of torturing Norquist to death. More Local News Officials say Nordquist suffered a month of torture. At one point, the suspects allegedly used duct tape and poured bleach on him, according to court documents. They allegedly physically and sexually assaulted Nordquist, and forced him to kneel while 'treating him like a dog,' per the court documents. Precious Arzuaga, 38; Patrick Goodwin, 30; Kimberly L. Sochia, 29; Kyle Sage, 33; Jennifer Quijano, 30; Thomas G. Eaves, 21; and Emily Motyka, 19, were charged with first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and second-degree conspiracy. Arzuaga, Quijano, Sage, and Godwin were also charged with first-degree aggravated sexual abuse. Arzuaga faces two additional charges of first-degree coercion, allegedly forcing two children — 7 and 12 years old — to participate in the torture, according to court documents. Arzuaga, Quijano, Sage, Godwin, Motyka, and Sochia were charged with concealment of a human corpse. Major Kevin Sucher, a commander of the state police troop that includes the Finger Lakes region, said the facts and circumstances of the case were 'beyond depraved' and 'by far the worst' homicide investigation the office has ever been part of. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State 'We charge the highest charge under New York State law, which is bigger than a hate crime,' said Assistant District Attorney Kelly Wolford. 'A hate crime would make this crime about Sam's gender, his race, and it's so much bigger. To limit us to a hate crime would be an injustice to Sam.' Wolford said the torture Nordquist suffered will never make any sense. Nordquist was laid to rest on Monday. His family held services in Minnesota, where Nordquist was originally from. Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Over 90 elected positions in Ontario County up for grabs in 2025
CANANDAIGUA, NY — The presidential election of 2024 is long gone, but more than 90 city, town and county offices will appear on 2025 ballots when resident go to the polls for the general election in November. So far, incumbent Ontario County District Attorney James Ritts has announced he is seeking reelection to a four-year term, his third. Republican Jason MacBride, a career prosecutor and victim advocate, also has announced his candidacy for district attorney. Farmington resident and private-practice attorney Stefanie Barnes, a Republican, earlier in the year announced her candidacy for a 10-year term as Ontario County Court judge. Clerks from cities and towns have certified the public offices that will be elected in this year's upcoming general election. The full list of this year's 'Offices to Elect' is published at the Ontario County Board of Elections website at The city of Canandaigua residents will elect a mayor, four at-large city council members and a city judge. In the city of Geneva, the offices of mayor, four city council members, two city judges and three county supervisors need to be filled. In most of the county's 16 towns, the offices of supervisor, clerk/tax collector and highway superintendent, as well as at least two Town Board members, will be elected. Victor is the only town in the county without a supervisor election this year. Several towns will also elect justices. Should there be a need, the primary election will be held Tuesday, June 24. The general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 4. Residents who wish to run for elected office can seek candidate designation from the Democratic, Republican, Conservative and Working Families parties beginning Feb. 25. Candidates seeking office on an 'independent body' ballot line can begin their petitioning April 15. See the New York State Board of Elections website for more information about how to run for local elected office at Voters thinking about changing their political party enrollment should act before Feb. 14. Under state election law, political party change requests received from voters after Feb. 14 will not become effective until July 1. You can change your party enrollment online at the state Board of Elections Online Voter Registration portal at or by filling out and submitting a voter registration form. Printable forms can be found at both the state and Ontario County Board of Elections websites as well as post offices, government offices and libraries. To learn more about the electoral process or review your voter registration, visit the Ontario County Board of Elections website at For more information, you can contact the board by phone at 585-396-4005 or online at Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Over 90 elected positions in Ontario County NY up for grabs in 2025
