YMCA Update 

The Village of Bath might be the home to a new YMCA building.  There are talks going on now to put it in the old Dana Lyons School Building in Bath which is under construction right now.  That's according to Steuben County Industrial Development Agency Director Jamie Johnson, who says that discussions between Providence Construction, the YMCA and Bath Village officials have been ongoing.  According to Johnson, the current proposed plan is to put the YMCA in the cafeteria area in the old Dana Lyons building. 

 

Painted Post Man Convicted Of Economic Espionage

FROM THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE: 

A federal jury has convicted Ji Wang, 63, of Painted Post, NY, of two counts of economic espionage, one count of theft of trade secrets, one count of attempted economic espionage, and one count of attempted theft of trade secrets.  Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg, together with U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo for the Western District of New York, announced the verdict.

“This conviction demonstrates the importance of protecting trade secrets developed in the United States, especially those with military applications,” stated U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo. “My office will continue pursue and prosecute those that steal such information.”

“Yesterday, a federal jury found Wang guilty of stealing sensitive defense research from his employer and attempting to use it to pursue personal profit at the expense our national security. We are committed to combating economic espionage and holding accountable those who disregard our export-control laws and the security of U.S. technology,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “This verdict reaffirms that such betrayals of trust will not go unpunished.”

“This conviction underscores the FBI’s dedication to exposing those who steal U.S. trade secrets for foreign benefit,” said Philip Tejera, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office. “Any theft of valuable intellectual property is a threat to American businesses. When stolen trade secrets stand to benefit a foreign economic rival; it threatens our national security. The FBI remains committed to investigating individuals who trade American security for their own selfish greed.”

“The Bureau of Industry and Security remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement and industry partners to prevent the unlawful transfer of sensitive technologies,” said Special Agent-in- Charge Jonathan Carson.

Wang was born in China and immigrated to the United States in 1998 to work for Corning Incorporated.  Between 2002 and 2007, Wang was assigned to work on a joint research and development project funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (“DARPA”) and Corning.  The goal of the 5-year, $11.4 million project was to develop optical fibers for high-powered lasers with military and commercial applications.  DARPA and Corning aimed to increase the power of fiber lasers by more than a factor of 1000.  DARPA sought to develop this technology to create laser weapons capable of shooting down drones and missiles.

On or about July 1, 2016, Wang stole hundreds of files that contained non-public data generated during the DARPA project, including trade-secret manufacturing technology that would have enabled him to fabricate all manner of specialty optical fibers, including for fiber lasers. 

Ten days before Wang stole the trade secret files, he had applied for China’s Thousand Talents Plan Award.  The Thousand Talents Plan Award was an initiative by the Chinese government aimed at people who were born in China and immigrated to the United States, to study or work in science and technology fields.  The Thousand Talents Plan Award incentivized these people to return to China by promising millions of dollars of investment to award recipients who returned to China.  Two months after Wang stole the trade secret files, he was selected to receive a Thousand Talents Plan Award.

Wang was negotiating with Chinese government entities to start a specialty fiber business in China from at least 2014 through 2017.  Wang was negotiating to receive tens of millions of dollars in investment from Chinese government entities, who would have been shareholders in his new venture.  Wang’s business plans showed that he was planning to use the stolen trade-secret files to start this business in China. Wang’s business plans also touted the military applications of the technology.  In one such business plan, which Wang submitted to a Chinese government entity, he advertised that specialty fibers “can also be installed on military vehicles,” including “tanks.”  Wang claimed that such use of the technology on military vehicles could “be key to deciding victory or defeat.”  Ultimately, law enforcement disrupted Wang’s efforts before he was able to start a new business and exploit the technology he stole.

The verdict is the result of an investigation by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, acting under the direction of Special Agent In-Charge Philip Tejera, and Special Agents of the Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office acting under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Carson.  Additional assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit, Michigan.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meghan K. McGuire of the Western District of New York and Trial Attorneys Nicholas Hunter and Brendan Geary of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the National Security Division.

Economic espionage carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and theft of trade secrets carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.  Sentencing is scheduled for April 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., who presided over the trial.

 

Statement From Congresswoman Claudia Tenney: 

“This conviction is a stark reminder that the Chinese Communist Party poses a threat not only to U.S. interests abroad, but also right here in Steuben County. The CCP is actively working to steal America’s most sensitive defense technology and harm American innovators and businesses. DARPA funded laser research was developed to strengthen our military, not to be stolen and pitched to Beijing. I am grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal investigators for shutting this operation down. I will continue pushing for aggressive measures to protect American intellectual property and to hold the CCP and its collaborators fully accountable.” 

 

Bath Man Is Facing Charges After Alleged Incident

One Race From Tuesday Night Is Still Up In The Air

There was a tie vote on Tuesday in the Bradford Town Highway Superintendent’s race between Ryan Andrews and Rodney Hoad, as both of them got 108 votes.  Steuben County Election Commissioner Vicky Olin says, the county election board has to wait and see if there are any affidavits for Bradford.  Olin says, if it is still a tie vote when we certify the election, it is called a failure to elect.  At that point, according to Olin, the New Town Board in January will appoint someone as the Highway Superintendent for the year.  The board does not have to appoint either of the candidates that were on the ballot. Then the highway superintendent position would go back on the ballot again next year.  

 

Lane Reductions Coming Up Tomorrow In Erwin 

FROM THE D.O.T.: The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists of the following lane reductions at the junction of Interstate 86 eastbound and Interstate 99 southbound in the Town of Erwin, Steuben County, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, November 8, to accommodate guiderail repairs:

• Right lane closure on Interstate 86 eastbound from just before Exit 43 (State Route 415 / Painted Post) to just past Exit 44 (Interstate 99 South / State Route 15 South / State Route 417 / Williamsport / Gang Mills). Exit 43 will remain open but the eastbound on-ramp from State Route 415 will be closed; motorists wishing to access I-86 east should follow the posted detour using I-86 westbound to Exit 42.
• Left lane closure on Interstate 99 southbound from the Interstate 86 interchange to just past the bridge over Route 417 (South Hamilton Street).

 

Things Are Improving In The Drought Situation

The New York State D.E.C. says that 21 counties have gone from being in a Drought Warning to a Drought Watch.  The D.E.C. says that’s due to several weeks of consistent rainfall and improving levels of streamflow and ground water. Counties moved to p to the level of drought watch are Steuben, Chemung, Allegany, and 19 other counties.

 

Getting Ready For The Winter Weather

Snow is in the forecast for next week, the Steuben County Department of Public Works says they’re gearing up for another winter season of snow and ice maintenance across county roads.  County DPW Commissioner Eric Rose says the most important thing is to drive safely, and in particular, drive safely around work crews.    “Our crews are ready to roll,” said Eric Rose, Steuben County DPW Commissioner. “With the first measurable snowfall expected soon, our teams have been preparing equipment, calibrating salt spreaders, and reviewing routes to ensure we’re ready the moment the weather turns.”

Safety for his drivers, continues to be a big issue with Rose.  “We ask all motorists to slow down, give plow trucks plenty of room to work, and remember that conditions can change quickly. Our crews are out there to keep you safe—please help keep them safe, too.”

 

Steuben County Sheriff's Monthly Newsletter

It’s a beautiful day in Steuben County.  Halloween came and went with troops of ghosts, ghouls and K-Pop Demon Hunters.  October was also the month for academy graduations.  The Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy graduation occurred, and we celebrated the achievements of Deputy E. Hurd and Deputy B. Kennedy.  Next the SUNY Alfred Academy graduation was held, and we celebrated the achievements of Deputy Phelps, Deputy Reppert and Deputy Warriner.  It never ceases to amaze me how a young person can enter an academy, learn, grow and leave it as a police officer ready for field training and ultimately solo patrol duty.  We also began our Corrections Part-time Basic Academy, for those who were hired from a result of the NYSDOCCS strike.  This academy will run one day a week until May.

October continued to be busy for our agency.  We presented and displayed the “Emilee’s Challenge” educational trailer at the NYS Highway Safety Symposium in Oswego.  Dispatcher Clark also presented it to two high school classes there as well as to SUNY Oswego students.  The trailer was well received and multiple other agencies requested information on the trailer.

In October, we swore in both new officers and promoted members of the agency.  Sergeant Day and Deputy Shepherd were sworn in as Investigators.  Deputy Kidder and Officer Waight were sworn in as Sergeants.  Correction Officers Maddux, Meehan and Gardner were sworn in. Captain Mills completed a two-day Supervisor Liability course by the Legal and Liability Risk Management Institute.  Captain Mills, Lieutenant Wetherby and Officer Yarka completed the three-day Black Creek SallyPort user conference.  Lieutenant Thompson and Sergeant Ames completed the Prison Rape Elimination Act Investigations course by the Legal and Liability Risk Management Institute.  Sergeant Sorge and Deputy Butler taught another NYS Boater’s Safety Course, continuing our monthly presentation of this course.  Investigator Ellison completed the NYS DCJS Instructor Development Course.  Our K9 handlers attended the annual Yates County K9 Training Seminar.  Deputy Butler completed the NYS DCJS Emergency Vehicle Operation Instructor Course.  Sergeant Wood and Investigator Day completed the 2025 Excelsior Training.  Lieutenant Logsdon presented at the Wayland Career Fair and the Coffee with a Cop Day.  Sheriff Allard presented at the Highway Safety Symposium, spoke at both academy graduations and appeared on the monthly “Frankly Speaking” interview.

            October was another busy and challenging month in the Sheriff’s Office.  Our investigators and deputies were tasked with a threat of mass harm investigation, an unauthorized use of a vehicle investigation, ten assault investigations, three trespass investigations, two possession of a weapon investigations, three obstructing governmental administration investigations, five endangering a child investigations, one menacing investigation, one stalking investigation, one sexual assault investigation, eight larceny investigations, four grand larceny investigations, one criminal facilitation investigation, two fire investigations, two drug investigations, four death investigations, six criminal contempt investigations, one menacing a police officer investigation, one criminal obstruction of breathing investigation, one resisting arrest investigation, two fugitive from justice investigations, two fleeing a police officer investigations, one reckless endangerment investigation, five harassment investigations and five criminal mischief investigations.  Our Patrol Division was tasked with multiple domestic incident investigations along with mental health detainments, emergency medical aid, assisting other agencies, serving of warrants, one boating while intoxicated arrest and three intoxicated or impaired driving arrests. 

            All of our deputies and officers performed in an outstanding fashion, and we received multiple commendations from the public regarding their outstanding performance. 

 

We continue to pray for our first responder colleagues and deployed military across the globe, as well as their families.  We also pray for the victims of mass casualty events and state sponsored aggression.

Thank you for supporting the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office in these challenging times and stay safe!

Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard