A Southern Tier man who has been on the lam from Seneca County authorities for five years is back in their custody after being arrested in Colorado. Benjamin Nichols, of Erin, in Chemung County, was originally charged with numerous felonies related to a clandestine meth lab in Ovid, where he was also allegedly found to be in possession of multiple firearms, handguns, weapons, and drugs.
In 2021, after an extensive search by members of the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Chemung County Sheriff’s Office, and US Marshals, Nichols was placed into custody for failing to appear for his scheduled court date. After arraignment, Nichols, a convicted felon and registered sex offender, was granted bail in the amount of $5. Nichols subsequently failed to appear for his next scheduled court date.
A bench warrant was issued out of Seneca County Supreme Court for Nichols’s arrest. On June 13th, 2024, after an exhaustive collaborative search, Nichols was located in Craig, Colorado. He was extradited back to New York last week and was sent to jail in lieu of $1 million bail following his arraignment in Seneca County Supreme Court.
Seneca County Sheriff Tim Thompson remarked, “This apprehension was a testament to the hard work of our Investigators and the strong relationships with our law enforcement partners. We must hold those accountable who choose to flee from law enforcement and the court system.”
Seneca County District Attorney John Nabinger stated, “I want to thank and commend the members of the Seneca County Sherriff’s Office, and all the law enforcement agencies involved in the apprehension and extradition of Nichols. All went above and beyond in their efforts to return the defendant to Seneca County to answer for his crimes.”
The following agencies assisted the Sheriff’s Office with the location and apprehension of Nichols.
- Craig, Colorado Police Department
- Moffat County Colorado District Attorney’s Office
- The Colorado All Crimes Enforcement Team
- Colorado Bureau of Investigation
- Chemung County Sheriff’s Office
- Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office
- New York State Police
- United States Marshals
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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