NORWICH– Last Friday Chenango County Court convened to hear the cases of five individuals.
Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. was the Chenango County Court Judge presiding over each of the cases.
Public Defender John Cameron, represented four of the five individuals, with the other defendant representing himself. The District Attorney, Joseph A. McBride was present on behalf of the people.
• Jesse J. Dann, 21, of Norwich appeared in court from the Chenango County Correctional Facility in
order for a change of plea to take place as well as sentencing.
Cameron began the case by stating his understanding on the matter and that his client was ready to move forward, “I understand Mr. Dann's case is before you for the first count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a class B felony. He would be sentenced to five years probation, to serve 6 months in the correctional facility, with treatment court to follow, as well as a written waiver of appeal.”
After asking Dann various questions, Revoir did state that Dann has fulfilled his split portion of the sentence due to time already served and would essentially be released from the correctional facility later that day, if in fact he changed his plea to guilty.
It was noted that Dann has no permanent residence, and is therefore homeless once released.
Revoir then read the first count of Dann's charge, “On Jan. 9, 2015 at a business in the Village of Sherburne, did knowingly possess nine individually wrapped packages of heroin, with the intent to sell. This is the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a class B felony.”
Dann then changed his previous plea of not guilty and entered a guilty plea.
“You’ve been in jail for four months, you hold the keys to your future. Get out and stay off drugs, if not you’re going to go to state prison. We're losing people every week, it is not fair and it has got to end,” said McBride.
“Thank you for incarcerating me,” said Dann.
Dann was sentenced to a split incarceration of 6 months, which has already been served, as well as five years probation with the drug treatment court program. After the written waiver of appeal was signed, the court imposed no additional fees or surcharges.
Revoir instructed Dann to immediately report to social services in Norwich in order to set up housing, due to his housing situation.
“The best ‘thank you’ you could give is to complete drug treatment court and stay drug free. McBride is right, drugs are taking over our community and it needs to stop,” said Revoir.
• Russell W. Rowe, 39, of Afton appeared on matters of plea and sentencing as well.
Cameron noted his client was ready to move forward with a plea change and sentencing, on the first and second charges of his indictment.
Revoir read the charges, “First count of the class E felony of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree. On august 16, 2015 in Afton, did operate a Chevy pick-up while his ability was impaired by alcohol having more that .08 BAC, and while knowing that his license and privilege to get a license was revoked.” said Revoir.
Revoir the continued reading the second charge of the indictment which read the generally the same but charged Rowe with driving while intoxicated, a class A misdemeanor.
Rowe did change his plea to guilty on both counts.
It should be noted that Rowe, in open court did concur with the Judge’s questioning, alleging that Rowe does have a previous DWI charge on his record.
Rowe was sentenced to one year definite sentence at the Chenango County Correctional Facility for the class E felony of aggravated unlicensed operation, as well as one year definite sentence to run concurrent for the DWI charge. There was a $500 fine, $395 crime victim fee, and a $50 DNA fee.
Rowe did have his driving privileges revoked and did sign an ignition interlock form as well as the written waiver of appeal.
