An Olean NY woman arrested on felony charges
State Police sex exploitation investigation leads to indictment of eighteen individuals for sex offenses committed against a minor
On October 13, 2022, New York State Police members from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation of SP Horseheads began an investigation into Andrew Daugherty, 49, of Dundee, New York, who was alleged to have sexually exploited a minor child. The abuse occurred over the span of seven years at various locations of Yates County and the southern tier. Seventeen other individuals were also charged in connection with the exploitation of the same minor. Over the course of several months, and with the assistance of members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation from Troops E, A, and C, 18 individuals were arrested and charged with various sex offenses committed against the same child.
The New York State Police worked in conjunction with the Holly Hill Police Department of Florida, the Yates County District Attorney’s Office, the Yates County Department of Social Services, and the New York State Police Computer Crimes Unit to successfully conclude the lengthy investigation and provide support services to the victim.
On March 16, 2023, the Yates County District Attorney’s Office presented the case to a grand jury which resulted in the indictment of eighteen individuals:
Andrew Daugherty of Dundee: Predatory Sexual Assault against a Child (A-II Felony), Predatory Sexual Assault (A-II Felony), Sex Trafficking of a Child (B Felony), Compelling Prostitution (B Felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree (D Felony), Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony), Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (C Felony). Daugherty was also charged as a co-defendant for aiding and abetting others in the promotion of sexual acts.
Micheleine Ridley of Dundee: Predatory Sexual Assault against a Child and Tampering with Physical Evidence (E Felony);
Michael Gucciardo of Bath: Rape 1st Degree (B Felony), Criminal Sexual Act 1st Degree (B Felony), Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony), Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (C Felony), Rape 3rd Degree (E Felony), and Criminal Sexual Act 3rd Degree (E Felony);
Ashley Crandall of Corning: Two counts of Criminal Sexual Act 1st Degree (B Felony);
Anthony Hawn of Holly Hill, FL: Rape 2nd Degree (D Felony) and Criminal Sexual Act 2nd Degree (D Felony);
Mary Diederich of Bath: Criminal Sexual Act 1st Degree (B Felony) and 3rd Degree (E Felony), Aggravated Sexual Abuse 2nd Degree (C Felony), Sexual Abuse 1st Degree (D Felony), Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (C Felony), and Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony);
Tiffany Jamieson of Binghamton: Two counts of Criminal Sexual Act 2nd Degree (D Felony);
Richard Tallarida of Elmira: Criminal Sexual Act 2nd Degree (D Felony), Rape 2nd Degree (D Felony), Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (C Felony), and Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony);
Zackery Crissell of Elmira: Rape 2nd Degree (D Felony) and Criminal Sexual Act 2nd Degree (D Felony);
Wayne Niles of Elmira: Rape 2nd Degree (D Felony);
Ashley Shaffer of Bath: Two counts of Criminal Sexual Act 2nd Degree (D Felony);
Aaron Labar of Prattsburgh: Sexual Abuse 1st Degree (D Felony) but the charges has been returned to local court and will be amended to Sexual Abuse 2nd Degree (A Misdemeanor);
Stephanie Ridley of Dundee: Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (C Felony) and Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony)
Five other individuals have plead guilty to the following charges:
Brittany Skinkle of Elmira: Criminal Sexual Act 1st Degree (B Felony);
Gregory Scears of Elmira: Rape 3rd Degree (E Felony);
Summer Elliott of Elmira: Criminal Sexual Act 2nd Degree (D Felony) and Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (C Felony);
Steven Sherman of Elmira: Rape 3rd Degree (E Felony);
Kayla Montgomery of Olean: Criminal Sexual Act 1st Degree (B Felony)
