Three Sentenced Monday in Columbia County Court:
On May 1, 2017, Honorable Richard M. Koweek sentenced Byron Mazariegos-Chavez to one year in the Columbia County Jail upon his conviction by plea of Criminal Contempt in the 1st Degree.
Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett's Office investigated this matter and arrested Byron Mazariegos-Chavez. The Public Defender represents Byron Mazariegos-Chavez.
original press release from Columbia County Sheriff's Office:
* Byron O. Mazariegos-Chavez, 27, of Valatie, was arrested at 3:30am December 22 and charged with Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Harassment in the Second Degree by Sergeant Andrew Broockmann and Deputy Michael Meier.
Deputies were dispatched by Columbia County 911 to River Street in the Village of Valatie for a Domestic incident in progress. Mazariegos-Chavez is accused of violating an order of protection against a female, who he struck in the head, while refusing to let her leave the residence. This incident occurred in the presence of a child.
He was arraigned in Kinderhook Town Court before the Honorable Judge Mills and was remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail and $10,000 bond. He is scheduled back in court in January.
On May 1, 2017, Honorable Richard M. Koweek sentenced Peter McArdle to six (6) months in the Columbia County Jail; five years probation; and ordered him to pay $40,091.80 in restitution upon his conviction by plea of Welfare Fraud in the 3rd Degree.
Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett's Office investigated this matter and arrested Peter McArdle. The Public Defender represents Peter McArdle.
Original press release:
SHERIFF’S OFFICE ARRESTS MAN ON WELFARE FRAUD
Hudson, NY – Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett reports that on Thursday February 9th at 8:00am, a Hudson man was arrested and charged with crimes associated with Welfare Fraud. Investigator William Dunspaugh, who is assigned to the Columbia County Welfare Fraud Task Force, began a joint investigation with the Columbia County Department of Social Services starting in September of 2015 which resulted in the arrest of 54 year old Peter J. McArdle.
It is alleged that the defendant collected public assistance benefits after submitting false paperwork on six separate dates to the Columbia County Department of Social Services and obtained benefits totaling $41,091.83, which he was not entitled too. The extensive investigation concluded with the arrest of McArdle. He has been charged with one count of Welfare Fraud in the 3th degree (Class D Felony) and six counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st degree (Class E Felony) by Investigator Dunspaugh.
Peter McArdle was arraigned before the Honorable Judge Herman in the Hudson City Court, and released on his own recognizance. He will appear in Columbia County Court at a later date.
The Columbia County Department of Social Services and Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czjaka’s Office assisted with the investigation.
On May 1, 2017, Honorable Richard M. Koweek sentenced Meranda Hamm to six months in the Columbia County Jail, five years probation and ordered her to pay $630 in restitution upon her conviction by plea of Attempted Burglary in the 2nd Degree.
Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett's Office investigated this matter and arrested Meranda Hamm. John Leonardson represents Meranda Hamm.
Original press release:
Meranda L. Hamm, 24, of Ghent, was arrested on a warrant at 6:00pm May 16 and charged with Burglary in the Second Degree and Petit Larceny by Investigator Patrick Logue and Deputy Jordan Brahm.
Hamm is accused of unlawfully entering a residence in the Town of Stockport and stealing property valued at approximately $600.
She was arraigned in Stockport Town Court and remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.