An Arcade couple is facing welfare fraud charges after they allegedly filed false documents with the Department of Social Services.
Michelle ( Booth ) Phinney, 39, and her husband Tobin Phinney, 44, are each charged with Welfare Fraud 4th Degree, a felony, and offering a false instrument to file 1st, after an investigation by the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Social Services.
It is alleged that the couple failed to report they had been married in August of 2018. By failing to report the marriage they received $10,008.99 in county taxpayer benefits that they were not entitled to. The Phinney’s appeared in court on August 12, 2019.
On August 2, 2019, Wyoming County Sheriff’s Deputies, along with Perry Police Officers, responded to a business on Chapman Avenue in the Town of Castile for a suspect vehicle which had struck multiple parked cars.
Investigating deputies determined Susan A. Skarzynski, 48, of Hilton, had backed into one vehicle in the front parking lot, attempted to drive again, but then struck another parked vehicle.
Skarzynski was found to be in possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage in her purse, and Skarzynski was also found to be driving with two children under the age of 16 in her vehicle.
She refused to submit to field sobriety tests, and she refused to submit to a pre-screen breath test.
Skarzynski was arrested for DWI, and she then refused to submit to a chemical test to determine the drug or alcohol content of her blood.
Skarzynski is charged with two counts of aggravated DWI – child in vehicle (class E felonies), and one count each of DWI, consumption of alcohol in motor vehicle, and refusal of pre-screen breath test.
She was arraigned in the Town of Castile Court where her driver’s license was suspended pending a DMV Hearing due to her refusal of a chemical test. Skarzynski was committed to the Wyoming County Jail in lieu of $5,000.00 cash bail or $10,000.00 bond. She appeared in court on August 5, 2019.
On July 27, 2019, Deputy Amy Nowak conducted a traffic stop on Wethersfield Road in the Town of Wethersfield of a vehicle traveling 90 mph in a 55 mph zone.
During the traffic stop, Shawn McMindes, 32, and Rochelle Cirne-McMindes, 30, both of Cheektowaga, switched seats and attempted to drive away from the Deputy.
After an investigation it was found that Shawn McMindes was impaired by alcohol and was placed under arrest.
Sergeant Reagan placed Cirne-McMindes under arrest for facilitating aggravated unlicensed Operation in the 2nd and failure to comply with a lawful order. She was issued appearance tickets roadside and appeared at the Wethersfield Town Court on August 6, 2019 to answer the charges.
Deputy Nowak charged Shawn McMindes with DWI(a felony), driving with a BAC of .08 % or more (a felony), aggravated DWI-blood alcohol content .18 or higher (felony), aggravated unlicensed operation 1st (felony), operating out of ignition interlock restriction and speed over 55.
McMindes was arraigned at the Town of Warsaw Court due to the Town of Wethersfield Judge not being available. McMindes was held in the Wyoming County Jail with bail set at $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond. He re-appeared in Town of Wethersfield court on August 6, 2019.
Joseph P. Ray, 55, and Julie A. Mcewen, 52, both of Rochester, are facing charges following a traffic stop on Route 19 in the Town of Covington on August 6, 2019.
A vehicle, being operated by Ray, was stopped for speeding, 60mph in a marked 45mph zone, and it was determined that Ray had a revoked driver’s license due to a previous DWI conviction along with two other suspensions.
Mcewen, a passenger in the vehicle, was found to be consuming alcohol inside of the vehicle and in possession of marijuana.
Ray is charged with speed in zone, aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd and 3rd, and unlicensed operator. Mcewen is charged with consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of marijuana. Both were released and will answer the charges in the Town of Covington Court on August 19, 2019.
On August 4, 2019, Wyoming County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Holland Road in the Town of Java after observing a vehicle operating erratically and failing to keep right.
Deputies spoke with the female operator of the vehicle, Amanda Newman, 35, of Pendleton, NY and immediately observed signs of impairment.
Newman was asked to submit to Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and performed poorly. She was placed in custody for DWI and refusing to submit to a chemical test.
Newman is charged with DWI, failure to keep right, and unauthorized stickers. Justice Heterbring was present in the Town of Java Court for arraignment. Newman was released on her own recognizance with a return court date scheduled for August 21, 2019.
Ricky Patterson, 54, of Lockport, was arrested by the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office following the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office locating him on an active arrest warrant on August 8, 2019.
The warrant was issued in November of 2017 by the Wyoming County Family Court for failure to pay child support.
Patterson was transported to the Town of Warsaw Court where he was arraigned and committed to the Wyoming County Jail to await the next available Family Court Appearance.