Grand Jury Indictments for January 2026

District Attorney, Ashley E. Smith, announced today that the following people were indicted by the Cattaraugus County Grand Jury for the month of January 2026:

• Little Valley, New York- John D. Newark, a.k.a. J.D. Newark, was indited on January 15, 2026, for two counts of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree (Class E Felony), two counts of Aggravated Family Offense (Class E Felony), Burglary in the First Degree (Class B Felony), Menacing in the Second Degree (Class A Misdemeanor), and Two Counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class A Misdemeanor). The indictment states that on or about November 16, 2025 and December 2, 2025, Newark did violate a duly served order of protection, and entered a residence with an intent to commit a crime by use or threats of a dangerous instrument.
• Carrollton, New York- Thomas E. Hensley and William R. Schoonover were indicted on January 15, 2026, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Class B Felony), Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance (Narcotic) (Class B Felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class D Felony), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (Class A Misdemeanor), and Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree (Class A Misdemeanor). The indictment states that on or about July 24, 2025, Hensley and Schoonover, were found to be in possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of a weapon and both had a previous conviction of another crime, and were in possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Ashford, New York - Jessie J. Fuller and Jesse C. Bartlett, Sr. were indicted on January 15, 2026, for Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the Second Degree (Class A-II Felony). Bartlett, Sr. was also indicated on violations of Vehicle and Traffic Law for Inadequate Plate Lamp, Traffic Device Violation, and Driving on the Shoulders. The indictment states on or about July 30, 2025, Bartlett, Sr. unlawfully operated a motor vehicle over the shoulder of the roadway, and failed to stop at a stop sign, and wherein Bartlett, Sr. and Fuller knowingly and unlawfully possessed compounds, mixtures, or substances containing methamphetamine.
• City of Salamanca, New York- Derrek J. Bates, was indicted on January 15, 2026, for Driving while Intoxicated, a Class E Felony, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, a Class E Felony, and Operating a Motor Vehicle without Interlock Device, a Class A Misdemeanor. The indictment states that on or about July 30, 2025, Bates, unlawfully operated a motor vehicle on a public highway while he was in an intoxicated condition, without a valid license which was suspended as a result of a previous alcohol related offense, and while subject to a court order ignition interlock, operated motor vehicle without said device.
• Town of Olean, New York- Gary L. Houghtaling, was indicted on January 29, 2026, for Unlawful Surveillance in the Second Degree, a Class E Felony. The indictment states that on or about and between April 21, 2025 and July 31, 2025, Houghtaling, unlawfully and intentionally installed the utilization or installation of an imaging device to surreptitiously view or record a person without such person's knowledge or consent.
• City of Olean, New York- Jerry M. Harris, was indicted on January 29, 2026, for Criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class A-II felony, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B Felony, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony. The Indictment states that on or about August 21, 2025, Harris was found to be in possession of two ounces or more of methamphetamine, and one-half ounce or more of cocaine, and was in possession of a weapon, having previously been convicted of another crime.
• City of Olean, New York- Shane F. Easton was indicted on January 29, 2026, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B Felony, and for Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor. The Indictment states that on or about August 15, 2025, Easton unlawfully possessed five grams or more of methamphetamine and a scale for purpose of weighing or measuring controlled substances.
• Village of Gowanda, New York- Corey J. Austin was indicted on January 29. 2026, for Driving while Intoxicated, a Class E Felony, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, a Class E Felony, and Operating a Motor Vehicle without Interlock Device, a Class A Misdemeanor. The Indictment states that on or about June 22, 2025, that Austin, unlawfully operated a motor vehicle on a public highway while he was in an intoxicated condition, without a valid license which was suspended as a result of a previous alcohol related offense, and while subject to a court order ignition interlock, operated motor vehicle without said device.
• Town of Hinsdale, New York- Benjamin J. Minervino was indicted on January 29, 2026, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B Felony, and Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor. The indictment states that on or about August 7, 2025, Minervino unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug with the intent to sell it and unlawfully possessed glassine envelopes and other material suitable for packaging individual quantities of narcotic drugs.
• City of Salamanca, New York- Manny F. Patterson, was indicted on January 29, 2026, for Aggravated Driving while Intoxicated, a Class E Felony, Driving while Intoxicated, a Class E Felony, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, a Class E Felony. The indictment states that on or about August 10, 2025, Patterson, unlawfully operated a motor vehicle in an intoxicated condition and at a time when he had .18 or more BAC, and operated said motor vehicle without a valid license which was suspended as a result of a previous alcohol related offense.
• Town of Hinsdale, New York- Jacob J. See, was indicated on January 29, 2026, for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C Felony, Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D Felony, Assault in the Third Degree, a Class a Misdemeanor, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A Misdemeanor, Four Counts of Menacing in the Second Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor, and Harassment in the Second Degree, a Violation. The indictment states that on or about August 2, 2025, See unlawfully possessed a loaded firearm and did cause physical injury to another person, and did place or attempted to place another in reasonable fear of injury, and did act in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical mental or moral welfare of a child less than 17 years old.
• Town of Persia, New York- Randy A. Taylor, was indicated on January 29, 2026, for Aggravated Driving while Intoxicated, a Class E Felony, Driving while Intoxicated, a Class E Felony, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, a Class E Felony. The indictment states that on or about August 10, 2025, Taylor unlawfully operated a motor vehicle in an intoxicated condition and at a time when he had .18 or more BAC, and operated said motor vehicle without a valid license which was suspended as a result of a previous alcohol related offense.