Feds: Bath Man Pleaded Guilty Yesteday 

From The U.S. Attorneys Office: 

 

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced that Benjamin Crout, 39, of Bath, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to possession of child pornography by an individual with a prior sex offense, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that in August 2004, Crout was convicted in Steuben County Court of Possessing Sexual Performance by a Child Less than 16 and Attempted Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree. In June 2022, law enforcement received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, that an individual uploaded six files containing child pornography to a Google Drive account. Investigators tracked the IP address to Crout’s residence. On January 26, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Crout’s residence during which a tablet and cell phone containing images of child pornography were seized. The devices collectively contained 1,323 images and 47 videos of child pornography, some of which included infants/toddlers engaged in sexually explicit conduct and depictions of violence.

 

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski.  

 

Sentencing is scheduled for January 4, 2024, before Judge Siragusa.

 

Report Of A Bad FIght On Pine Street In Bath

From Bath Police Chief Colin Taft:  On 09/08/2023 at about 6:50 PM, Officers responded to the area of Pine Street for the report of multiple people fighting. Upon arrival, Officers were able to locate two of the individuals involved while the third had left the scene prior to arrival. The two individuals on scene were identified as Dawn M. Jones and her juvenile son. The third individual was identified as Michael N. Lennon, who was found at his address on W William Street.  It was found that Dawn M. Jones and Michael N. Lennon were involved in a physical altercation. During this time Dawn M. Jones involved her juvenile son into the physical altercation with Michael N. Lennon.  Dawn M. Jones, age 47, and Michael N. Lennon, age 39, were both arrested and charged with one count each of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor. Both were released on appearance tickets and are due in the Village of Bath Court on a later date.  At about 11:09 PM Officers responded back to the area of Pine Street for the report of Michael N. Lennon throwing rocks through Dawn M. Jones windows. During this time it was also reported that Michael N. Lennon threw a rock at a female juvenile, striking her in the back of the head and causing injury.  Michael N. Lennon was located on scene by Officers and placed into custody. Michael N. Lennon was charged with two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor, one count of Assault in the second degree, a class D felony, and one count of Criminal Mischief in the third degree, a class E felony.  Michael N.  Lennon was processed then transported to Steuben County Jail for CAP court. He was held.

 

SWAT Team And Other Members Of The Steuben County Sheriff's Department, Honored At Public Safety Meeting

Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard recognized/honored Steuben County Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Day and Deputy Kidder, and the SWAT Team, for saving a suicidal woman, during a domestic dispute, on August 15, in the Town of Lindley.  Allard also commended the Investigator Martin and Sgt. Shutt and Deputy Saltsman, for their work in doing medical assists and other work on August 19 on 390 in Wayland.  The sheriff also announced a commendation for the SWAT Team, for their work in assisting the NYSP on August 22 and 23, at the standoff on Roosevelt Avenue in Bath.   Sheriff Allard noted, during the commendations, that those involved in saving lives, "do so while risking their own lives, and help provide assistance during horrible tragedies with professionalism and integrity." 

 

Bath Man Charged For Alleged Protection Order Violation

Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard reports that on September 9, 2023, deputies of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office arrested Gordon T. Taft, age 41, of Belfast Street, Bath, New York, following an investigation of a reported violation of an order of protection in Savona.  It is alleged that Mr. Taft violated a duly served order of protection and had a similar previous conviction in the past five years.  Mr. Taft was charged with Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, and Aggravated Family Offense, both a class E Felony.  Mr. Taft was arraigned in the Centralized Arraignment Court and released.

 

New Emergency Medical Services Coordinator For Steuben

Steuben County Public Services Director Tim Marshall says that Brandon Rosetti, will be taking over the position of EMS Coordinator for Steuben County.   According to Marshall, Rosetti comes to work for Steuben County, from Arnot Ogden Medical, where Rosetti trains paramedics.