Soldiers indicted in attack on officers

Three enlisted Fort Drum soldiers face indictments alleging they participated in the assault of two 10th Mountain Division officers.

Spc. Jeremiah Pulaski,23, faces two counts of second-degree assault, whileSpc. Joshua W. Chamberlain,25, andPfc. Terrell L. Burdette,19, face single counts of the same crime in connection with a June 21 incident in Sackets Harbor.

The charges were contained in grand jury indictments unsealed Friday in Jefferson County Court.

It is alleged in the indictment that Spc. Pulaski struck Capt. Benjamin Bryant in the head and kicked him about the head and body, causing a nasal bone fracture, facial bruising and an eye injury. It also is alleged that Spc. Pulaski struck 1st Lt. Thomas Campbell in the head, causing two fractures to the victim's right eye socket, as well as a cut above the eye that required stitches to close.

It is alleged that Spc. Chamberlain participated in the attack on Capt. Bryant, while Pfc. Burdette took part in the assault on Lt. Campbell. Village police said in June that the incident occurred at General Smith Drive and Chapin Alley.

The three soldiers each pleaded not guilty at arraignment on the charges Friday and were sent to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building jail on $5,000 bail.

In court Thursday,Anthony M. Butler,31, Rochester, 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 an indictment unsealed in court. It is alleged he had and sold cocaine in mid-July and again in mid-August. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was sent to the PSB on $20,000 bail.

In court Wednesday,Thomas Hammond,38, of 809 Taramack Drive, Apt. A, West Carthage, was arraigned on a single count of first-degree sexual abuse and three counts of endangering the welfare of child.

The charges were contained in an indictment unsealed in court. It is alleged he had forced sexual contact in November 2006 with a then-14-year-old girl in West Carthage and that he attempted to have sexual contact with the girl on two other occasions between March 2007 and August 2007.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on his own recognizance.