POLICE

Accidental shooting

Steuben County Sheriff's deputies last week investigated an apparent accidental shooting in the Town of Howard.

Shortly after 4 p.m. March 3, deputies were dispatched to a residence located on county Route 69 after a 911 call was received reporting an accidental shooting. Deputies were able to speak to the victim who indicated the handgun that he had been handling had accidentally discharged

with the 22 caliber round striking him in the side of the face.

The victim was transported to St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, where he remained conscious and alert. He was then transferred to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for further evaluation and treatment. The Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Canisteo Ambulance Corps and Fire Department as well as the Hornell City Fire Department. Investigation into this incident

continues, and the name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of family members.

Illegal hunting

Steuben County Sheriff's deputies last week charged two Pulteney residents with several environmental conservation law misdemeanors.

Jacob Robert Weaver, 19, of Roff Road and William James Cummings, 20, of Gallagher Road were charged with the following

offenses: possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, discharging a firearm over a highway and taking wildlife on or from a public highway. Deputies allege both subjects stopped their motor vehicle on county Route 76 in the Town of Pulteney and discharged a rifle out the driver's side window at a crow in the adjunct field with a Sheriff's deputy stopped behind them.

Both are to appear in Pulteney Town Court at a later date.

Stolen property

Sheriff's deputies last week charged Tammy L. Padgett, 37, of Beck Drive, Cameron, with one count of second degree forgery and one count of fifth degree criminal possession of stolen property.

The charges stem from an Internet fraud investigation that led Sheriff's investigators to Padgett's residence, where they found stolen property and a checkbook from California that had been ordered over the

Internet by a person in Nigeria and shipped to Padgett's home.

Padgett is to appear at a later date in Cameron town court.

Criminal contempt

Steuben County Sheriff's deputies last week charged Ravon D. Butler, 19, of Bath with first degree criminal contempt. Butler was issued an appearance ticket for the Town of Bath Court.