By Tiffany Williams –
New York State Police cracked down hard this week, hitting everything from white-collar theft to violent domestic disputes and high-speed chases. From Wolcott to Poughkeepsie, troopers made a string of arrests targeting lottery scammers, child exploitation suspects, property thieves, reckless drivers, and armed offenders. In case after case, the New York State Police showed zero tolerance, turning investigations into swift arrests and sending a clear message: break the law, and you will pay.
In Wolcott, 67-year-old David M. Miller was arrested after a state investigation revealed he purchased nearly $9,500 in Quick Draw lottery tickets at the Wolcott Elks Lodge without paying. Miller pocketed $4,164 in winnings, leaving $5,334 unpaid. He was charged with third-degree grand larceny, arraigned at Wayne County Jail, and released pending further court proceedings. The case is now in the hands of the Wayne County District Attorney.
In Hornell, 33-year-old Eugene Wade Hale was taken into custody after an extensive child exploitation investigation, which began following a referral from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Troopers from the Troop E Computer Crimes Unit and Forensic Investigation Unit, along with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, recovered electronic devices during a warrant execution in May. Forensic analysis later confirmed contraband images, leading to Hale’s arrest and transport to the Steuben County Jail for arraignment.
Meanwhile, in Homer, two Syracuse residents, 27-year-old Nyraeisa Bibbs and 23-year-old Naughtica T. Fulton, were arrested for petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, respectively. The pair fled Tractor Supply on State Route 13 with several Carhartt jackets. Troopers located the vehicle on State Route 281, stopped it safely, and recovered the stolen merchandise. Both suspects were issued appearance tickets to Cortlandville Town Court for November 24.
On Conklin Road, 32-year-old Riley M. Merrick of Candor was arrested for false personation and criminal possession of a controlled substance after giving troopers a fake name during a traffic stop. Troopers discovered he had an active warrant with the Elmira City Police Department. Merrick was processed at SP Binghamton, scheduled to appear in Conklin Town Court, and turned over to Elmira City Police for the outstanding warrant.
The morning of October 30 in Belmont escalated quickly when 36-year-old Robert J. Deahn of Olean arrived at a residence brandishing a knife, then returned firing a round from a firearm into an occupied home. Two children were inside at the time. New York State Police located Deahn in Friendship, executed a high-risk traffic stop, and took him into custody without incident. Officers recovered a 12-gauge shotgun, still warm, and the knife used in the initial threat. Deahn faces multiple charges including second-degree menacing, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was transported to Allegany County Jail pending arraignment.
In Poughkeepsie, the Troop K Community Stabilization Unit, working with the city’s Neighborhood Recovery Unit, executed a search warrant on May Street that resulted in the seizure of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Three residents, Arnold J. Falgiano, 40, Jaclynn Padro, 41, and Steven Watson, 56, were arrested. Falgiano was released on his own recognizance, while Padro and Watson were remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center. All three were arraigned in Poughkeepsie City Court.