Woman admits stealing $8,000 Pop Warner funds

A Lowville woman admitted Friday in Jefferson County Court that she stole more than $8,000 from the Greater Watertown Pop Warner Association while serving as the organization's treasurer.

Lisa A. Staie,45, of 7691 W. State St., pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny. She is expected to be sentenced Dec. 15 to five years' probation, according to a contemplated sentence outlined in court. She paid $8,163 in restitution to the youth football league through her attorney, Michael F. Young, on Friday.

When entering her plea, she admitted that she took the money without permission while working for the organization between August 2001 and July 2008.

Charges that she embezzled money from the Lowville Pop Warner Association, of which she also was treasurer, remain pending in Lewis County, although that case also will be heard in Jefferson County Court.

In other court activity Friday:

Ambrose C. Barnes,20, Watertown, was sentenced to four months' time served at the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building and five years' probation for an Aug. 24 guilty plea to fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He admitted at the time of his plea that he had cocaine packaged as if for sale June 14 in Watertown.

Christine M. Wood,47, Watertown, was sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to pay $3,928 in restitution for an earlier plea to fourth-degree grand larceny. She had been accused of welfare fraud involving food stamps and Medicaid.

Terry J. Schmitte,55, Brownville, was sentenced to three years' probation for an earlier guilty plea to seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was accused of possessing cocaine at a Watertown residence in December.

Jason A. Failing,33, Rome, was sentenced to three years' probation, was fined $500 and had his driver's license revoked for earlier guilty pleas to petit larceny and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. He had been accused of stealing a Jeep sport utility vehicle from Erica L. Vandresar, Rome, while the vehicle was parked on Brainard Street in July and of DWI after being involved in a property-damage accident. His probation supervision was transferred to Oneida County.

Joseph M. Cousins,23, Watertown, pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree burglary. He is expected to be sentenced Dec. 14 to six months in the PSB, followed by five years' probation.

On one burglary count, he admitted that he entered a Central Street residence Aug. 25 and stole items. He entered a second guilty plea using an Alford plea, meaning he did not admit to the allegations, but was pleading guilty to avoid a possible stiffer punishment if found guilty at trial. He had been accused in that instance of entering a Pearl Street residence and stealing copper pipes.

McKinley J. Frazier Jr.,42, of 511 Emerson St., pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny. Sentencing was set for Dec. 14. He admitted that he made false entries for refunds from business accounts while working at Stream, 146 Arsenal St., between July 7 and Dec. 29, and credited the money to his prepaid credit card account.

Travis J. White,19, Route 3, town of Hounsfield, pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted disseminating indecent materials to a minor. Sentencing was set for Dec. 15. He admitted he tried to send pictures of his genitals to a 16-year-old girl April 6 in Dexter.

Paul J. Walbroehl,19, of 736 LeRay St., pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal mischief. Sentencing was set for Dec. 14. He admitted damaging more than $1,500 worth of goods June 23 at his parents' residence on Thompson Boulevard.

Ian W. Finnegan,25, of 150 Clinton St., Apt. C-6, pleaded guilty to felony DWI and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Sentencing was set for Dec. 15. He admitted driving drunk June 6 in Carthage while his driver's license was suspended for a prior alcohol-related offense in Florida.

David B. Scully,36, of 14124 Thomas Road, Harrisville, pleaded guilty to DWI as a misdemeanor and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. Sentencing was set for Dec. 15. He admitted driving drunk April 2 on Route 3 in the town of LeRay while his driver's license was suspended for a prior alcohol-related offense.

Elliott A. Mason,24, of 122 Winslow St., was arraigned on two counts each of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. The charges were contained in a grand jury indictment unsealed in court.

It is alleged he had and sold cocaine on two occasions in late June. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was sent to the PSB on $7,500 bail.

In court Thursday, three people faced allegations that they had and sold cocaine in grand jury indictments unsealed in court.

David Ortega,34, of 122 Charles St., is charged with two counts each of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, as well as a single count of endangering the welfare of a child. It is alleged that he had and sold cocaine twice on the same day in late September. It is further alleged that one of the sales occurred in the presence of a child.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges at arraignment and was sent to the PSB on $25,000 bail.

Jonathan B. Ezell,47, of 103 N. Orchard St., Apt. 1, is charged with single counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

It is alleged he sold cocaine in late June. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was sent to the PSB on $10,000 bail.

Amanda L. Chenoweth,20, address not available, faces two counts each of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. It is alleged she sold cocaine twice on the same day in late July. She pleaded guilty to the charges and was sent to the PSB on $2,000 bail.

In other court activity Thursday:

Jordan L. Firlik,21, of 31770 Swallia Road, Chaumont, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and was referred to Drug Court. She had been accused in an indictment unsealed in court in September of possessing heroin in early June.

Nicole C. Cugino,25, of 133 Bowers Ave., pleaded guilty to felony DWI and was referred to Drug Court. She was accused of DWI on Aug. 22 on Route 12F in the town of Hounsfield.