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August 5th Presser: On Drug Arrests In Hornell, Operation “Climate Change”

August 5, 2021


(The audio improves at 3:20 in, our apologies for the opening sound being muffled)

HORNELL, NY – At a press conference this morning at the Hornell Police Station, with Hornell Police Chief Ted Murray, Hornell Police Sgt. Tom Aini, Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard, Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker, and others. They’re calling it “Operation Climate Change”. Police Chief Murray explained that there is a change in the criminal justice climate, referring to the Bail Reform that was passed by the New York State Legislature. D.A. Brooks Baker said that another reason for the code name “Climate Change”, was because of the change in the amount of fatal and near-fatal overdoses. Police Chief Murray stated that there was a near-fatal overdose, just last weekend, in Hornell.

Mayor John Buckley said that the use of drug counselers in this sweep of arrests, is another reason for a change in the climate. “Over the last few years, there’s been a paradigm shift here, where the Hornell Police are here to help you. There are two different groups that we’re talking about: addicts and dealers.”

Officials say that 19 people were arrested as a result of Operation Climate Change.

Buckley and Chief Murray, thanked all those involved, Police Sgt. Tom Aini, Police Captain Mike Sexsmith, Steuben Co. Investigator Walt Mackey, Sheriff Jim Allard, Steuben Co. D.A. Brooks Baker and others. D.A. Brooks Baker explained that because of Bail Reform, those suffering from drug addiction, could not receive drug treatment in the jail. Baker also stated that it’s “very scary” that Narcan is being administered 10 or more times per month.

Chief Murray said that just this morning, a person suffering from addiction, came into the police station, asking for help, and Murray said that the person was put in touch with a drug counseler. Baker praised Police Chief Murray for bringing drug counselers into the post-arrest situation, so that drug addicts can get the treatment needed.

Sgt/Investigator Aini spoke of how there were arrests this morning. Aini spoke of overdoses that occured in June in Hornell. D.A. Brooks Baker said that the drugs were coming from Elmira and Rochester. Chief Murray stated that because of the new laws (Bail Reform) that most of the suspects, who are facing felony charges, will be released immediately.

D.A. Brooks Baker said, that about 40 law enforcement agents were involved in Operation Climate Change.

Below is the list of suspects who were charged:

Naomi Dimond, 29, 61 Hill Street, 2nd Degree Manslaughter, Providing A False Written Statement, Tampering With Physical Evidence, Criminal Possesion of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, 3rd degree.

Joshua Dibble, 39, 61 Hill Street, Hornell, two counts of Fourth Degree Grand Larceny, and Tampering with Physical Evidence. Dibble is accused of stealing from one of the men who died in a fatal overdose, Hornell Police Chief Ted Murray says that one of the victim’s pockets were found turned inside out.

(Both Dimond and Dibble, are accused of involvement, with the June 12th overdoses on Hill Street, Hornell.)

Jason Barker, 37, Seneca Road, North Hornell, Criminal Possession of a controlled substance 5th degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 5th degree, currently in Steuben County Jail.

Calvin Buck, 58, Maple Street Hornell, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 5th degree.

Dimitria Battle, 31, Bostwick Place, Hornell, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree.

Kristy Knowlton, 31, Hornell Street, Hornell, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree.

Amber Hollar, 33, South Division Street Hornell, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, 3rd degree.

James Manhart, 33, Holly Terrace, Hornell, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, 3rd degree.

Curtis Yeoman, 36, Nunda, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Subtance, 5th degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5th degree.

Allan Sullivan, Bath, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Subtance, 5th degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5th degree.

Gordon Cassidy Jr, 49, Hakes Avenue, Hornell, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Subtance, 5th degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5th degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, 3rd degree.

Sean Battle, 35, Prospect Street, Hornell, Rape 1st Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, 3rd degree. Currently being held in Steuben County Jail.

Mark Drew, 31, Oak Street, Hornell, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, 3rd degree.

Dakota Hurlburt, 24, Hakes Avenue, Hornell, Criminal Sale Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, 3rd degree.

Javan Jamison, 37, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, 3rd degree.

Robert Seibert, 65, Hakes Avenue, Hornell, Criminal Sale Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, 3rd degree.

Latoya Zeh, 38, Genesee Street, Hornell, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, 3rd degree.

Patricia Thompson, Seneca Road, Hornell, 59, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance5th degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, 55th degree.

Collin Gallese, 23, Route 36, Arkport, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.


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