Resident of Lyons Falls gets 3 to 6 years prison

LOWVILLE — A Lyons Falls man was sentenced Friday in Lewis County Court to state prison time on charges that he stole a trailer and tried to forge a driver's license.

Benjamin J. Lehman,24, of 3855 Fulton St., Lyons Falls, was sentenced as a second-felony offender to three to six years in prison, $4,400 restitution and $640 in court fees on charges of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and third-degree grand larceny, to which he pleaded guilty last June.

Judge Charles C. Merrell also stated he would not oppose shock incarceration for Mr. Lehman, who did not successfully complete the county's Drug Court program. Mr. Lehman was charged Dec. 21, 2007, with stealing a $13,000 refrigerator trailer belonging to Lisa Young in the town of New Bremen. He also was charged Jan. 22, 2008, with presenting a temporary, non-identification driver's card that had been altered to look like a commercial driver's license at the Lewis County Department of Motor Vehicles office in Lowville.

Also Friday in Lewis County Court:

Royal D. Nuffer,48, of 10101 Third Road, Castorland, was sentenced to time served in county jail, three years' probation and $160 in court fees on a charge of second-degree criminal contempt, to which he was convicted by a jury Dec. 11. Judge Merrell also issued an order of protection on the victim's behalf.

Mr. Nuffer was charged with being found May 13 at the town of Croghan home of his estranged wife, Amy C. Nuffer, in violation of an order of protection issued in Lewis County Family Court.

The jury dismissed a second count of second-degree criminal contempt that alleged Mr. Nuffer also made several calls to her cell phone from May 13 to June 6.

James A. Loucks,53, of 6643 Route 12, Lowville, entered Alford pleas to first-degree criminal contempt and third-degree attempted burglary, amended from third-degree burglary, meaning he accepted the pleas without admitting that he committed a crime.

The pleas also satisfied a second count of first-degree criminal contempt and single counts of second-degree harassment, endangering the welfare of a child, petit larceny and second-degree criminal trespass.

Mr. Loucks on Sept. 9 allegedly made repeated telephone calls to Rachel Loucks and Sept. 18 sent several text messages to a child, all in violation of valid orders of protection. On Sept. 20, he allegedly broke into a shed on Route 12 in the town of Leyden owned by Rodney Hutchins and stole a chain saw.

Nichole R. Laman,also known as Nichole R. Sosenko, 23, Binghamton, pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and second-degree bail jumping, also satisfying a false impersonation charge. She was then entered into the county Drug Court program.

Ms. Laman was charged with selling LSD on Aug. 31 at the moe.down festival, providing a false name to police following her arrest and failing to appear Dec. 12 in County Court.

David J. Lamb,50, West Leyden, had his case of first-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief and second-degree menacing and two counts of second-degree harassment adjourned to April 17, with a trial date set for June 22. Mr. Lamb allegedly broke into his father's house Nov. 30 on Statzer Road in the town of Lewis and threatened the elder Mr. Lamb with an ax.

Brian J. Windover,44, of 7523 S. State St., Apt. 1, Lowville, had his case of felony DWI and no inspection adjourned to April 7. Mr. Windover was stopped Jan. 1 on Route 12 in the town of Martinsburg.