The New York State Appellate Division, Fourth Department, has upheld the convictions of several Cayuga County defendants, according to District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci.
In rulings issued April 24, the court affirmed the conviction of Austin Deal, who pleaded guilty in September 2023 to aggravated criminal contempt after making a death threat in violation of an order of protection. Prosecutors say Deal continued to contact the victim from jail while awaiting sentencing. He later pleaded guilty to an additional aggravated family offense charge and received consecutive sentences totaling 3½ to 7 years in prison.
The court also upheld the conviction of Ryan Kelsey, who was arrested in July 2023 on an aggravated family offense charge following a domestic incident. While in custody, Kelsey was charged with second-degree assault for attacking another inmate. He pleaded guilty to both charges and was sentenced in February 2024 to concurrent prison terms, including three years determinate with five years of post-release supervision for the assault conviction. He was also ordered to pay restitution for medical expenses.
In addition, the Appellate Division affirmed the conviction of Craig Laird, who pleaded guilty in July 2024 to four counts of aggravated family offense and one count of second-degree criminal contempt for repeatedly violating orders of protection. He was sentenced in October 2024 to 3 to 6 years in prison.
In a separate decision issued May 1, the court upheld the conviction of Kyle Session, who pleaded guilty in October 2022 to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Authorities say Session admitted to selling cocaine in Auburn in August 2021. He was sentenced in January 2023 to five years in prison followed by three years of post-release supervision.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher T. Valdina handled the appeals on behalf of the Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office.
