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Rauber Hill Sunrise, by Mel Hunt

Potter County fugitives from justice nabbed by Livingston County Deputies on I-390

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Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of two Pennsylvania residents on felony and misdemeanor charges following a traffic stop.

On October 8, 2022 Deputy Gordon Truax was assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Operation Safe Interstate when he conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 390 in the Town of Avon for violations of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic law.

The roadside investigation revealed that the operator, who was identified as 47 year old Peter J. Scolari of Pennsylvania, was operating the vehicle on a suspended license.

During the roadside investigation, contact was also made with Peter’s passenger, 43 year old Heidi M. Scolari, also of Pennsylvania, who was exhibiting signs of recent drug use.

Deputies then conducted a search of the vehicle and discovered powder cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, Buprenorphine strips and also an unknown substance that is being lab tested to determine what it is.

Peter was arrested and charged with Felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, Felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree. Peter also had an active warrant for his arrest out of Potter County Pennsylvania for failure to appear on drug charges.

Heidi was arrested and charged with Felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, Felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree. Heidi also had an active warrant for her arrest out of Potter County Pennsylvania for failure to appear on Driving While Ability Impaired by Drug charges.

Peter was turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for processing. The District Attorney’s Office was contacted in regards to bail due to the felony level charges. It was recommended that Peter be processed and released with an appearance ticket on the drug charges, as they do not qualify for bail under the NYS Bail Reform. Peter was however to be held on the active arrest warrant as a Fugitive from Justice out of PA.

Heidi was also turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for processing. The District Attorney’s Office was contacted in regards to bail due to the felony level charges and it was recommended that Heidi also be released with an appearance ticket on the drug charges, as they do not qualify for bail under the NYS Criminal Justice Reform Act. Heidi was also to be held on her active arrest warrant as a Fugitive from Justice warrant.

Peter and Heidi were later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part (LC-CAP) at the Livingston County Jail before Judge Werth. The Judge did release both subjects on their own recognizance in regards to the drug charges on Interstate 390 per NYS Bail Reform, however the Judge ordered both held as Fugitives from Justice pending extradition to Pennsylvania.

The Livingston County Public Defender’s Office was present and represented Peter and Heidi at the court arraignment for their defense. The Livingston County District Attorney’s Office was notified but did not appear to represent the people.

“New York State Bail Reform continues to be a travesty to the safety of our law abiding citizens,” stated Sheriff Dougherty. “Day after day we continue to see folks who put others in danger get released on a pinky promise to reappear.”

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