Altercation at party ends with four charged, one in hospital

POTSDAM — A post-graduation gathering got out of hand early Saturday, with one person jailed on felony charges and three others ticketed on lesser infractions.

St. Lawrence County sheriff's deputies received a 911 call at 6 a.m. that one person had been run over and that another was threatening people with a shovel and ax.

After interviewing everyone, deputies determined that Wesley A. Frank, 20, of 3912 Route 56, South Colton, went to the camp of Jonathan M. Buffham, 18, of 1078 County Route 35, Potsdam, because he thought Tasha M. Skiff, 17, of 1145 Old DeKalb Road, Canton, needed help leaving the camp. The camp is at 6994 Route 11 in the town of Potsdam.

According to the account provided by deputies, when Mr. Frank arrived with several friends, he was met by Brandon L. Lottie, 18, of 521 South Canton Road, Potsdam, wielding an ax. Mr. Buffham then hit Mr. Frank with a pickup truck.

Mr. Frank was later taken to Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Potsdam, for treatment of hip and rib injuries.

Mr. Buffham was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree assault, and third-degree menacing. He was arraigned and ordered held in the St. Lawrence County jail on $7,500 bail.

Mr. Lottie was charged with second-degree menacing, a misdemeanor.

Ms. Skiff was charged with harassment. Mr. Frank faces a charge of second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Ms. Skiff graduated from Canton Central School and Mr. Lottie from Potsdam Central School Friday.