1061 Allen Street (January 2023)

Two men have been arrested on burglary charges at the former Crawford Furniture Building in Jamestown.

The Chautauqua County District Attorney’s office said that 37-year old Robert Clark of Conewango Valley and 33-year old Justin Myers of Jamestown have been indicted on 3rd Degree Burglary, 3rd Degree Attempted Grand Larceny, and two counts of 5th Degree Conspiracy.

According to the indictment, the two men were arrested in an incident at 1061 Allen Street on, or about November 16, 2022. This is the same time period as the fire that destroyed the former factory.

Clark and Myers have both been arraigned and have May 31 set as their their next appearance in Chautauqua County court.

Randall Rolison

The Jamestown Post-Journal reports the Jamestown man accused of killing a Jamestown teenager in a hit and run accident rejected a plea deal in County Court.

60-year old Randall Rolison rejected a deal that would have had him pleading guilty to 2nd Degree manslaughter for striking 15-year old Lexy Hughan with his truck and also pleading guilty to a charge of aggravated vehicular manslaughter for driving an SUV which killed 71-year old Linda Kraemer. The deal included him admitting he was under the influence of narcotics in both accidents with resulting sentence of 13 1/3 to 25 years in state prison.

Rolison was out on bail following the hit and run fatality when State Police say he ran a stop sign on State Route 83 in the town of Arkwright, hitting a truck driven by 71-year old Gary Kraemer of South Dayton. The collision caused serious injuries to Gary Kraemer and resulted in the death of his wife, Linda.

Rolison also was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after police found three illegal weapons in his possession.

The Jamestown Post-Journal reports the weapons court case will take place June 12. The other two trials will be held after that one is complete.

Dustin Post

A Silver Creek man has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing children.

Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said 27-year old Dustin Post was sentenced Monday by County Court Judge David Foley to a state prison sentence amounting to 125 years to life to run consecutive to the Federal sentence Post is currently serving.

This follows Post’s conviction of six counts of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child.

He is already serving a 50 year sentence for producing and possessing child pornography after pleading guilty to the crimes in U.S. District Court in 2022.

Schmidt acknowledged the work of the Child Advocacy Program, saying in a statement, “Without this group of dedicated counselors, forensic interviewers and professionals who work hand-in-hand with law enforcement, we could have never developed the evidence here and maintained the integrity of the case despite numerous hurdles, including the pandemic and shutdown.”

Dustin Post

A Silver Creek man faces a maximum sentence of 150 years to life after being found guilty of sexual assault of a child in Chautauqua County Court.

A jury found 26-year old Dustin Post guilty of six counts of Predatory Sexual Assault of a Child. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said the convictions cover sexual assaults committed by Post against five different children here in Chautauqua County, spanning a period of three years, from 2015 through 2018.

Post now faces a maximum sentence of 150 years to Life, to run consecutive the Federal sentence he is now serving. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 10.

Chautauqua County Courthouse, Mayville

A protection order has been granted in Salman Rushdie stabbing case.

Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt issued a statement saying County Court Judge David Foley approved the prosecution’s request to preserve the confidentiality, and limit access to the identities, and of the factual witnesses in this case.

Foley also approved a request by the District Attorney for an extension of time to provide the defense with discoverable materials under New York’s reformed discovery laws. The prosecution now has 60 days from September 21 to provide those disclosures to the defense.

Hadi Matar remains in the County Jail on charges of attempted murder of author, Rushdie, after being accused of stabbing him and another speaker at a lecture at Chautauqua Institution in August.

Kevin Roldan-Pantojas

A Jamestown man has been charged in the drive-by shooting death of Jesus Batista-Perez on August 19 on Prendergast Avenue in Jamestown.

Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt announced that 22-year old Kevin Roldan-Pantojas was arraigned Tuesday afternoon on a five-count indictment in Chautauqua County Court. Judge David Foley set bail at $1 million cash or $2 million property bond.

Roldan-Pantojas has been charged with 2nd Degree Murder, 2nd Degree Attempted Murder, 1st Degree Assault, 2nd Degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and tampering with physical evidence.

He is due back in court on October 24 for a Discovery Conference.

Jason Schmidt

The Chautauqua County District Attorney says he needs more time to review evidence in the case against the man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie.

DA Jason Schmidt, Public Defender Ned Barone, and the man accused in the case, Hadi Matar, were in Chautauqua County Court for a discovery conference Wednesday.

Schmidt told Judge Dave Foley that the prosecution was still reviewing over 30,000 files from the State Police as part of its investigation. In a statement to media, Schmidt said due to this “exceptionally voluminous” amount of materials the prosecution is afforded an additional 30 days to meet its obligation without making a motion in court.

Under New York’s discovery laws, the prosecution is required to comply with disclosure obligations within 20 days after a defendant is arraigned on an indictment.

All parties will appear in court again on Tuesday, September 13. Schmidt stated he plans to request a limit on who is allowed to review material disclosed ahead of trial.

Hadi Matar (Photo Courtesy of Chautauqua County Jail)

The man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie last week at Chautauqua Institution pleaded not guilty to second-degree attempted murder and assault charges on Thursday and was held without bail.

24-year old Hadi Matar was arraigned in Chautauqua County Court on an indictment returned earlier in the day by a grand jury that charged him with one count of second-degree attempted murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, and one count of second-degree assault.

Judge Dave Foley issed a temporary order of protection for Matar to have no contact with Rushdie and Henry Reese, who also was injured in last week’s attack. He also ordered all lawyers to not discuss the case in the media. He said he would consider Public Defender Ned Barone‘s request to release Matar on bail.

Barone requested a gag order on all parties, citing concern that high media attention could taint perspective jurors, “The more things are leaked or the more things are spread out there is going to influence the jurors in this county and the opinions they’re forming. So, one of the constitutional rights for anybody, I’m not talking about Mr. Matar, anyone accused of a crime is entitled to a fair trial. I made this arguement in the court room and that is something that is the cornerstone of our society.”

Foley is expected to rule further on the gag order at a later date.

Matar will return to court at 9:00 a.m., September 7 for an evidence discovery conference.

Hadi Matar (Photo Courtesy of Chautauqua County Jail)

The New Jersey man accused of attacking author Salman Rushdie has pled not guilty to charges of attempted murder.

Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said 24-year old Hadi Matar pled not guilty to charges of 2nd Degree Attempted Murder and 2nd Degree Assault at his arraignment Saturday afternoon in Chautauqua County Court.

Matar is in the Chautauqua County Jail without bail.

Schmidt said in a statement that search warrants have been signed by County Court Judge Dave Foley. New York State Police had stated on Friday that a warrant was requested for a backpack and digital device belonging to Matar.

Schmidt said his office has also been in communication with agencies in New Jersey, where Matar is from, to share information and try to determine what kind of planning or preparation might have proceeded the attack to determine what, if any, additional charges should be leveled against Matar.

Governor Kathy Hochul speaks at Chautauqua Institution on August 14, 2022

“So wisdom will always prevail over this. I’ll also say that tolerance will always prevail over hate. Courage will always prevail over fear. And the pen will always prevail over the knife.”

Governor Kathy Hochul spoke those words at Chautauqua Institution‘s Hall of Philosophy Sunday following a tumultuous few days after the attack on author Salman Rushdie at the Amphitheater.

Hochul, joined by Institution President Michael Hill and County Executive PJ Wendel, said Chautauqua Institution stands for the values of education, free speech, and inclusion, “New York State will always stand up to protect freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and we condemn the cowardly attack on Salman Rushdie. And we condemn any individual, or any group, that dare violate the sanctity of a place like Chautauqua, to attempt an assassination on a world leader. That cannot happen in New York.”

Hochul said she had the chance to meet with the staff and people who assisted when Rushdie was attacked on Friday just before he was to deliver a lecture at the Institution. She also was able to meet with the State Trooper who arrested the suspect, Hadi Matar.

Chautauqua Institution President Michael Hill said at Friday’s press briefing that this is an incident unlike anything in the institution’s nearly 150 year history, “We were founded to bring people together in community to learn, and in doing so, to create solutions through action. To develop empathy and to take on intractable problems. Today now, we’re called to take on fear and the worst of all human traits – hate. Our job right now, though, is to continue to support police and others. To be a resource for Mr. Rushdie and Mr. Reece’s family and to begin to imagine a pathway to healing.”

Rushdie remains in critical condition at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he is continuing to receive treatment.

Salman Rushdie’s family’s statement on his condition (Twitter)

The family released a statement on Twitter saying the author was able to be taken off a ventilator Saturday and had been able to speak a little. According to his agent, Rushdie may lose an eye, has nerve damage to an arm, and that his liver was damaged after the stabbing attack on Friday. The other speaker at the event, Henry Reese, was treated and released for a head injury that occurred in the attack.

Matar pleaded not guilty to charges of 2nd Degree Attempted Murder and 2nd Degree Assault at his arraignment Saturday afternoon in Chautauqua County Court.

Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said the 24-year old residents of Fairview, New Jersey is in the Chautauqua County Jail without bail.

Schmidt said in a statement that search warrants have been signed by County Court Judge Dave Foley. State Police had stated on Friday that a warrant was requested for a backpack and digital device belonging to Matar.

Schmidt said his office has also been in communication with agencies in New Jersey, where Matar is from, to share information and try to determine what kind of planning or preparation might have proceeded the attack to determine what, if any, additional charges should be leveled against Matar.

Chautauqua Institution has announced updated security policies for those visiting or working on the grounds for the remainder of the season.

New York State Police Superintendent Kevin Bruen said there will be an increased presence of State Police on the Institution’s grounds as well, “We’re going to do it in conjunction with the County Sheriff and in discussion with members of the Institution staff. Some of it you will see. Some of the commitment you will see will be in terms of uniformed troopers, troopers with K9s, and a lot of what will happen you won’t see. There’ll be investigators doing background work, threat assessments, and other sorts of things that we do.”

For those visiting the Institution, effective immediately, all gate passes and tickets will require identification. Sunday passes and will call purposes passes will now be issued as Ground Access passes, requiring patrons to provide a photo ID at the ticket office. Existing gate passes will be honored as is.

The Institution is also enforcing a “no bag” policy in the Amphitheater and at all indoor performance venues such as Bratton Theater, Norton Hall, Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall, Fletcher Music Hall and Hall of Christ. Only small clutches, wristlets, or fanny packs no bigger than 4.5-inches by 6.5-inches will be allowed.

Additionally, all building contractors must present identification matching with an authorized contractor name for Grounds access. Contractors may enter through any Chautauqua gate.