WCDO Radio News

Chenango County Sheriff's Department arrested a 15 year old juvenile for Arson and Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, following an investigation into 3 fires over a 4 day period at 993 County Road 3 in the Town of Smithville earlier this month. 1 of the fires killed 25 goats & other livestock. The juvenile was arraigned in Chenango County Family Court and remanded to a juvenile facility.

51 year old Anna Santiago of Greene was found guilty by a Chenango County jury for arson Monday. Santiago was arrested after an investigation into a fire at 21 Chipmunk Lane in Greene on August 3rd, 2017, in order to cash in on her insurance policy. Santiago is being held in the Chenango County Jail, she faces sentencing on January 4th.

43-year-old Belven Fajardo of Endwell has been convicted of Attempted Arson; after he attempted to set fire to a Johnson City building using "Molotov Cocktails". Fajardo was arrested after he allegedly intended to cause damage to the building, following an earlier domestic dispute. Fajardo is scheduled to be sentenced on September 13. He faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 25 years in state prison.

The murder and arson trial of Ernest Franklin has been adjourned until November in Chenango County Court.  Jury selection was scheduled to begin Monday in the murder and arson trial of Ernest Franklin.  Franklin and his wife, Heather were indicted on charges of 2nd-degree murder, arson and tampering with physical evidence in the death of their 16 year old son Jeffrey at their town of Guilford home in March of 2017. The Franklins will face separate trials.

State Police arrested 46 year old Marc McKercher of Union for Attempted Arson, after troopers received a complaint of 2 suspicious devices on the front steps and front lawn of a residence on King Street in Endwell. Further investigation revealed the items were improvised explosive devices which did not detonate successfully. State Police Bomb Disposal Unit was called to the scene and rendered the items safe. They secured the items from the scene, the investigation is continuing.

State Police arrested 46-year-old Greg Dyn of Richfield Springs for 5th degree Arson, after the troopers investigation determined that on January 21st, during an argument with his ex-girlfriend, Dyn had sent her pictures of some of her clothing and personal items that he had set on fire. Dyn was arraigned in the town of Exeter Court and was released on his own recognizance. An order of protection was issued against him & his next scheduled court date is January 31st.

Gerald Althiser pleaded guilty in Otsego County Court to attempted arson, for the fire that destroyed the Milford United Methodist Church last March. Althiser was sentenced to 5 years probation, to be served at the Homer Folks Facility in Oneonta, where he will receive counseling. A judgment of $1 million was also placed against him.