NORWICH – Five individuals charged with a variety of misdemeanor and felony crimes appeared in county court Monday, three sentenced and two pleading not guilty to the charges brought against them.
• Talon N. Taltavall, 22, New Berlin, was sentenced to one year at the Chenango County Correctional Facility after pleading guilty to one count of third degree burglary, a class D felony, and must pay approximately $700 in restitution.
Indicted by a Chenango County grand jury in May of 2012, it was alleged that Taltavall, on or about April 23 in the Town of New Berlin, did knowingly and unlawfully remain – with the intent to commit a crime – in a pair of local businesses: the New Berlin Diner, 5709 State Highway 8, and the New Berlin Big M, also known at that time as Marquit’s Supermarket, 1 South Main St. According to his indictment, Taltavall stole property consisting of two cash registers, $85 cash, tobacco products, miscellaneous groceries, two 30-packs of beer and a butcher knife.
District Attorney Joseph McBride noted Taltavall’s extensive criminal history, given his age, and said he hoped he will change his ways. Said Taltavall, “I’m very sorry for what I did; it should have never happened and it will never happen again.”
Judge W. Howard Sullivan warned Taltavall that, should he again be charged with another felony, he’d most likely be looking at a state prison sentence.
“When you get out, make good choices and you’ll have a good life,” he added.
• Wendy Peck, 39, Norwich, was sentenced to six months at the Chenango County Correctional Facility – with credit for time served – after she admitted to a willful violation of her probation.
Peck was placed on probation in July of 2010, ordered not to violate any federal, state or local law; as well as the terms and conditions of her probation. On Aug. 3, 2012, Peck was served a warrant at her residence, neglecting to inform the county’s probation department until Aug. 7, well past the 24 hours required to do so. It was also alleged that Peck, in June of 2012, admitted to using marijuana. In August, Peck allegedly admitted to the use of marijuana and cocaine.
According to the district attorney, Peck has appeared in county court a number of times over the years, at one point allowing out of town drug dealers to use her residence as space for the sale of illegal drugs. Peck could face a lengthy state prison sentence if she runs afoul of the law again, he added.
