The investigation into an August 19, 2021, traffic stop on Route 20A in the Town of Warsaw has led to the forfeiture of $30,671.00 in United States currency.
On August 19, 2021, Harjeet S. Ghotra, age 60, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, was stopped by Wyoming County Sheriff’s Deputies for traffic infractions. During the traffic stop, Ghotra’s operating privileges in New York State were found to be suspended, and Ghotra was taken into custody.
While searching Ghotra’s person, $30,671.00 in United States currency was located in Ghotra’s pants pockets. Following the roadside investigation, the United States currency and Ghotra’s smart phone were seized as evidence, and Ghotra was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation in the third Degree, obstructed license plate, and side windows non-transparent. Ghotra’s vehicle was towed from the scene, and he was given a courtesy transport to the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office where he was turned over to a valid driver.
Following an investigation into the origination of the United States currency through search warrants and subpoenas, it was determined Ghotra was transporting the United States Currency for the company MKG Wholesale, Inc., of Cheektowaga, New York, as proceeds of criminal conduct relating to Criminal Diversion of Prescription Medications and Prescriptions.
On March 7, 2022, a representative of the company MKG Wholesale, Inc. appeared in the Warsaw Town Court where the corporation appeared on the charge of money laundering in the fourth degree.
Following the court proceeding, MKG Wholesale, Inc. entered a guilty plea to the crime of attempted money laundering in the fourth degree, and the $30,671.00 in United States currency was forfeited to the County of Wyoming in accordance with the New York State Civil Practice Law and Rules.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Kelly J. McMurtry, 45, of Portageville, NY, a convicted felon, faces new charges following the execution of an arrest warrant at her residence in the Town of Genesee Falls on March 30, 2022.
McMurtry was wanted by the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office for felony violation of probation after the Wyoming County Court issued a warrant for her arrest. Deputies responded to the residence where they located McMurtry and she was taken into custody.
In the process of arresting McMurtry, she was found to be in possession of a metal knuckle knife. McMurtry was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a class D felony.
McMurtry was arraigned in Wyoming County Court on March 31, 2022 and was held without bail regarding the violation of probation, and bail was set regarding the weapon charge in the amounts of $10,000.00 cash bail, $20,000.00 bond, or $30,000.00 partially secured surety bond.
McMurtry was turned over to the Wyoming County Jail where is being held until further court appearances.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a one car rollover crash on Route 78 near Eddy Road in the Town of Gainesville on April 3, 2022.
Melissa Haase, age 29, was operating her vehicle east on Route 78 when she lost control of the vehicle and it rolled over. Haase was not injured in the accident.
Further investigation found Haase to allegedly be driving while intoxicated. Haase was arrested and charged with failing to keep right, moving from lane unsafely, driving while intoxicated and driving with a BAC of .08%.
Haase is to answer the charges on April 18, 2022, at 6:00 PM in the Town of Gainesville Court.
Great coverage!