Several Felony Charges Placed against Drivers Including Leandra’s Law and a 16 year old Charged

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports Deputies made several arrests following traffic stops in both the northern and southern part of the county.

NARCOTICS

June 16, 11:28 P.M., Town of Grand Island – Kerry Donohue, 36, of the City of Tonawanda was stopped by Deputy Schreiber on South State Parkway for a vehicle and traffic violation.  The Deputy’s investigation revealed Donohue’s driving privileges were revoked for failing to pay the New York State DMV Driver Responsibility Assessment from a previous DWI conviction.  When the Deputy searched the vehicle before it was towed, he discovered a glass jar filled with marijuana and drug paraphernalia, as well as several oxycodone pills prescribed to a different individual.

Deputy Arney, who assisted, discovered an additional two ounces of marijuana in the vehicle’s trunk.  Donohue was transported to the Erie County Holding Center pending her arraignment, and when she exited the vehicle, Deputy Schreiber discovered a bag of cocaine concealed in the seat and one on the floor of the patrol vehicle.

Donohue was originally charged with misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a controlled substance, aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, and two vehicle and traffic infractions.  Following the discovery of the cocaine at the holding center, Donohue is charged felony counts of criminal possession of cocaine and concealing physical evidence.

June 17, 1:37 A.M., Town of Brant – Deputies Hyde and Christian stopped a vehicle on Milestrip Road for vehicle and traffic violations.  While speaking to the driver and passenger, the Deputies observed a glass pipe in plain view within the vehicle’s cabin.  The driver and passenger exited the vehicle, and a search discovered the passenger, Glen Wallum, 58, of Angola illegally possessed Hydrocodone.  Wallum is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and was released on an appearance ticket.  The driver, Francis Kiley, 44, of Angola was issued uniform traffic tickets for equipment violations, improper insurance, and driving without a license.

June 17, 4:09 A.M., Town of Grand Island – Deputy Schreiber initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 190 for vehicle and traffic violations.  When speaking with the driver, she provided a name which was discovered to be false.  Trisia Hammond, 34, of Niagara Falls was arrested for false personation and was transported to the Grand Island Substation and then to the Erie County Holding Center.  During transport, the Deputy observed symptoms of narcotics use, and her condition deteriorated.  At the holding center, she was immediately evaluated by medical staff, and the staff determined Hammond needed to be transferred to Erie County Medical Center for treatment. 

While at the hospital, a crack pipe was discovered secreted in Hammond’s bra; following treatment, Hammond was released to the custody of the Sheriff’s Office.  Hammond is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, false personation, and a felony count of concealing evidence.  Hammond is being held at the holding center on $5,000.00 bail.

DWI

June 17, 1:06 A.M., Town of Elma – Deputies responded to reports of a vehicle off the roadway along Jamison Road near Route 400.  Deputy Zamorek arrived and, while speaking with the driver, he detected the strong odor of alcohol.  Matthew Blenker, 23, of Sardinia failed multiple field sobriety tests and registered a BAC level 2.5 times the legal limit.  The defendant was arrested and charged with Aggravated DWI, unlawful possession of marijuana, drinking alcohol in a vehicle on the roadway, and moving from a lane unsafely.  Blenker was released on appearance tickets for Elma Town Court.

June 17, 11:03 P.M., Town of Boston – A traffic stop was conducted by Deputy Szkatulski on Boston State Road on a vehicle with equipment violations.  When the Deputy spoke with the driver, the Deputy detected the odor of alcohol and administered field sobriety tests.  Christopher Kelm, 45, of Boston failed the standard field sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested.  Deputy Szkatulski confirmed a passenger in the vehicle was a 15 year old male and charged Kelm with felony DWI – Leandra’s Law.  The Deputy also discovered Kelm’s licensed had been revoked and added a charge of felony aggravated unlicensed operation.  In addition to the felony charges, Kelm is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and two vehicle and traffic violations.  He was later released to on tickets for Boston Town Court.

June 18, 3:23 A.M., Town of Brant – Deputy Hyde attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Erie Road for vehicle and traffic violations.  The vehicle made a U-turn and headed westbound and eventually stopped along the roadway.  Deputies Hyde and Christian, who arrived to assist with the traffic stop, detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver’s breath and he was asked to submit to standard field sobriety tests.  After failing the field sobriety tests, the 16 year old driver registered a BAC of 1.5 times the legal limit.  The Williamsville teenager is charged with DWI, the operation of a vehicle by an unlicensed driver, drinking alcohol in a vehicle on the roadway, and three vehicle and traffic infractions.  He was turned over to the custody of his mother.

June 18, 9:06 A.M., Town of Colden – Deputy Flowers responded to a single vehicle crash on Center Street.  The vehicle operated by Michael Gawinski, 60, of Orchard Park was driving northbound when the vehicle left the road surface crashing into two utility poles and overturning.  While speaking with Gawinski, the Deputy detected some impairment and Deputy Biegasiewicz was called to perform a Drug Recognition Evaluation.  Deputy Biegasiewicz determined Gawinski was impaired by drugs and he was arrested and charged with DWI-Drugs and a vehicle and traffic violation.  Szafranski was later released on tickets.

June 18, 10:23 P.M., Town of Concord – Deputy Jones responded to Route 219 for citizens’ reports of a vehicle driving recklessly.  The Deputy located the vehicle traveling southbound and observed swerving between lanes and crossed the fog line.  The Deputy stopped the vehicle on Peters Road and spoke with the driver.  The Deputy discovered Joshua Koch’s driver license was suspended for failing to pay child support and he possessed Suboxone.  Deputy Jones requested a Drug Recognition Expert for evaluation, and following Deputy Biegasiewicz’s evaluation, Koch was determined to be impaired by drugs.  Koch, 31 of Boston, was arrested and charged with DWI-Drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and two vehicle and traffic violations. 

Koch was released on appearance tickets for Concord Town Court.