Columbia County arraignments, convictions and sentences

Editor’s Note: A charge is not a conviction. All persons listed are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges can be amended or dismissed.

The following defendants appeared in Columbia County Court, according to the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office:

n On April 18, Jonathan Menendez-Lafata, 36, of Philadelphia was convicted by plea, as indicted, in county court of two counts and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substances, a class D felony, second-degree criminal possession of marijuana, a class D felony; and aggravated driving while intoxicated. He will be sentenced Aug. 19. State police arrested Menendez-Lafata. Ben Hill represents Menendez-Lafata.

n On April 12, Duby Lorsirs, 21, of Hudson, was convicted by plea in county court of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class C felony; and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class E felony. Court scheduled sentencing May 31. State police investigated the crime. Lorsirs was represented by Shane Zoni.

n On April 5, Michael Elie, 41, of Hudson, was convicted by plea, as indicted, of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony; and two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, County Judge Richard M. Koweek scheduled Elie’s sentencing for May 31. The defendant committed the offenses in Hudson. Hudson police Det. Sgt. Jason Finn, Det. Jeffrey Keyser and Det. Nicholas Pierro investigated the matter and arrested Elie. William Galvin represented Elie.

n On April 5, Paula Lord, 34, of Hudson, was convicted by plea, as indicted, of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, and tampering with physical evidence, a class E felony. Koweek set Lord’s sentencing for May 31. Hudson police Det. Sgt. Jason Finn, Det. Jeffrey Keyser and Det. Nicholas Pierro investigated the matter and arrested Lord. John Leonardson represented Lord. County District Attorney Paul Czajka commended the work of the Hudson Police Department in investigating the matter and apprehending Elie and Lord, according to a statement from his office.

n On April 4, James Hankerson, 40, of Hudson, waived a possible grand jury indictment and was arraigned in county court upon being charged with second-degree assault, a class D felony; fourth-degree criminal mischief, a class A misdemeanor; and criminal obstruction of breathing, a class A misdemeanor. The defendant is alleged to have committed the offenses in Hudson. Hudson police Det. Rodney Waithe and Officer Christopher Duntz investigated the matter and arrested Hankerson. The Columbia County’s Public Defender’s Office represented Hankerson.

n On April 4, Heather Wood, 24, of Ravena, was sentenced to five years of probation, ordered to pay $727.92 in restitution and issued an order of protection upon her conviction on attempted second-degree burglary, a class C felony. State police Inv. William Hogencamp investigated the matter and arrested Wood. The Columbia County Public Defender’s Office represented Wood.

n On March 25, Jermaine Williams, 26, of Chatham, was arraigned in county court upon being indicted for third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D felony. Koweek is presiding over the case. The court scheduled the trial for Nov. 12. Hudson police Sgt. Christopher Filli and Officer Larry Edelman investigated the matter and arrested Williams. The Public Defender’s Office represents Williams.

n On March 25, Umut Tanrikulu, 30, of Philmont, was arraigned in county court upon being indicted for first-degree promoting prison contraband, a class D felony. A trial is scheduled for Nov. 18. Columbia County Sheriff Deputy Peter J. Merante investigated the matter and arrested Tankrikulu. The county Public Defender’s Office represents Tanrikulu.

n On March 25, Austin Carr, 24, of Hudson, was arraigned in county court upon being indicted on charges of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony; second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class C felony; and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class E felony. Koweek is presiding over the case. A trial is scheduled for Dec. 16. Hudson police Det. Sgt. Jason Finn and Det. Jeffrey Keyser investigated the matter and arrested Carr. Christian deFrancqueville represents Carr.

n On March 25, Dorian Carr, 37, of Hudson, was arraigned in county court upon being indicted on charges of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony; second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class C felony; and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class E felony. Koweek is presiding over the case. Koweek scheduled a trial for Dec. 16. Hudson police Sgt. Jason Finn and Det. Jeffrey Keyser investigated the matter and arrested Carr. The Public Defender represents Carr.

n On March 25, Maleek Singleton, 25, of Hudson, was arraigned in county court upon being indicted on charges of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony; second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class C felony; and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class E felony. Koweek is presiding over the case. A trial is scheduled for Dec. 16. Hudson police Det. Sgt. Jason Finn and Det. Jeffrey Keyser investigated the matter and arrested Singleton. Garth Slocum represents Singleton.