by David Flint
The media descended on Stephentown in force on Thursday, September 26, when word got out that six persons allegedly involved in the August 31 trashing of Brian Holloway’s house were to be arraigned that evening in the local court. [private]Earlier in the day the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office announced that following a three week investigation the six had turned themselves in and been arrested. News teams – the Times Union, Channel 6, Channel 10 and Channel 13 among others – stood around for hours outside the Stephentown Town Hall as they waited for Sheriff’s Deputies to arrive with the accused.
When Judge Cyril Grant arrived he found that one news crew had commandeered his assigned parking spot.
Prior to the proceedings, Sheriff’s Investigator Shane Holcomb held a news conference outside the Town Hall. Holcomb said that the Sheriff’s Office is investigating upwards of 300 names of persons who could be charged with at least criminal trespass. They are hoping that many of these will be honest and own up to their mistakes. Some have been remorseful, he said, and others not. In response to a question, Holcomb acknowledged that some of the graffiti shown in news photos had been in the barn before the recent party, but he said investigators are more concerned with other damage aside from the graffiti. Asked if it had been determined that the home had actually been broken into, he said some details of the investigation cannot yet be released but that a charge of Breaking and Entering does not necessarily mean that any locks were broken. Regarding the six arrested, he said that they were not necessarily the “ring leaders” but that they certainly actively participated.
Judge Grant in open court called before him separately three of those charged.
Seth Hawk, 19, of Grafton, named by the Sheriff as organizing, advertising and providing alcohol for the party, was charged with Burglary 3rd degree, a felony. Added to that were charges of Criminal Mischief 4th Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Unlawfully Dealing with a child, all Class A misdemeanors.
Juan Santana, 20, of Grafton and Cody D. Blain, 21, of Berlin were charged with Criminal Trespass Second degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Unlawfully Dealing with a child, all Class A misdemeanors.
Meghan Loiselle, 18, of Green Island, Mackenzie Grogan, 17, of Cohoes and Keely C. Sullivan, 18, of Troy were all arraigned in private as Youthful Offenders. Each had been charged by the Sheriff with Felony Grand Larceny 4th degree, for stealing a granite eagle statue valued over $1,200 and Criminal Trespass Second degree.
All six were released in the custody of their parents or guardians. Santana and Blain requested the services of the Public Defender.
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Yvonne Keefe said on Tuesday of this week that one other person had been arrested last Friday. The teenager’s name was withheld as it is expected that he or she will be prosecuted as a juvenile offender. Keefe did not know in what town this person resided. The Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and more arrests are expected. “We are still in the process of interviewing many witnesses and encourage individuals to cooperate with investigators. If anyone has any further information, we ask that you contact the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office at 518-266-1981,” Keefe said.
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