Lockport, N.Y. (WBEN) - The drumbeat for more change to New York State's controversial bail reform continues as State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt was joined by others Saturday in calling for changes after two alleged scammers, who are in the country illegally, were released back into the community in North Tonawanda.
Last week, Ortt says, the North Tonawanda Police Department received a call from a resident about a potential scammer pretending to be a law enforcement official who was attempting to get her to pay $40,000. The North Tonawanda Police Department set up surveillance and arrested the scammers, who were charged with a class D felony.
Unfortunately, due to New York’s bail laws, Ortt says, these individuals were only eligible to be given appearance tickets under state law. A federal detainer was able to be implemented, allowing law enforcement to hold these individuals while federal paperwork was processed. After the processing of the paperwork, the two individuals, who reside outside of Philadelphia, were released on their own recognizance.
“This incident is a perfect example of how our state’s bail laws have failed the residents of New York State," Ortt said during a briefing at the Niagara County Sheriffs Office Saturday. "The presiding judge being able to hold these individuals on a federal detainer for a short while, but now these two men that are here illegally to begin with, have been released back into the community to potentially do more harm."
Ortt was joined in his call for change by both Assemblymen Angelo Morinello and Michael J. Norris.
“For quite some time I have been calling for change to bail reform along with other criminal justice reforms in New York State," said Niagara County Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti at the press briefing. "Law enforcement needs to have a seat at the table and have input when criminal justice reforms are being considered. Thus far, drastic changes have been made without considering the impacts on public safety. The time is now to put our victims first and have serious discussions on reforms that work for all of us."
The officials also issued a word of caution to help residents from being victimized by potential scammers. They advised the community to never give out personal or financial information over the phone, and to contact the local authorities if they are suspicious that they may be the target of a scam.
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