Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of two Allegany County residents on felony and misdemeanor charges following a traffic stop
From the Livingston County Sheriff:
INTERSTATE 390 – Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of two Allegany County residents on felony and misdemeanor charges following a traffic stop.
On August 20th, 2023 Deputy Jason Page was assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Operation Safe Interstate when he conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 390 in the Town of Avon for violations of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic law. Deputy Page made contact with the operator, identified as 35 year-old Albert O. Rhodes of Cuba, NY, and passenger identified as 57 year old Ronald A. Denning Jr. of Bolivar, NY.
Through further investigation, the Deputy suspected the group to be involved in drug activity. As a search was conducted, units on scene located 233 bags of suspected fentanyl in the vehicle, as well as a quantity of methamphetamine. Both Rhodes and Denning were taken into custody and transported to LCSO headquarters in Geneseo. As the investigation continued, Denning ultimately turned over an additional 50 bags of Fentanyl and a small amount of methamphetamine that he admitted to hiding in his person to prevent Deputies from finding it when they were pulled over. Rhodes was arrested and charged with, felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree. Denning was arrested and charged with felony Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree.
Rhodes and Denning were turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for processing. The District Attorney’s Office was contacted in regards to bail due to the felony level charges. It was recommended that both subjects be released on their own recognizance, as the charges do not qualify for bail under NYS Bail Reform. Rhodes and Denning were later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part (LC-CAP) at the Livingston County Jail before Justice Lemen. The Judge did release both subjects on their own recognizance, to return to court at a later date per the law.
The Livingston County Public Defender’s Office was present and represented Rhodes and Denning at the court arraignment for their defense. The Livingston County District Attorney’s Office was notified but did not appear to represent the people.
