Dundee Woman Admits Role in Yates County Sex Trafficking Ring

A Dundee woman, who was one of 18 people arrested for their alleged involvement with a child sex trafficking ring in Yates County, has admitted to her role.

The Yates County District Attorney’s Office reports Micheleine Ridley pleaded guilty in county court to a felony charge of sexual assault against a child. Her sentence is set to be not more than 20 years to life.

Another defendant, Richard Tallarida, of Elmira, will receive a prison sentence of no more than 4 to 10 years after pleading guilty to a charge of criminal sexual act.

A third defendant, Ashley Crandall of Corning had her case delayed while she undergoes a mental health examination to determine if she is competent to stand trial.

More than a dozen of the people arrested have pleaded guilty to their charges including Andrew Daugherty. The Dundee man was responsible for the sexual abuse of a local teen over a five-year period. He was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison earlier this summer.

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 1^st Degree (B Felony), Criminal Sexual Act 1^st Degree (B Felony), Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony), Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (C Felony), Rape 3^rd Degree (E Felony), and Criminal Sexual Act 3^rd Degree (E Felony);

Ashley Crandall of Corning: Two counts of Criminal Sexual Act 1^st Degree (B Felony);

Anthony Hawn of Holly Hill, FL: Rape 2^nd Degree (D Felony) and Criminal Sexual Act 2^nd Degree (D Felony);

Mary Diederich of Bath: Criminal Sexual Act 1^st Degree (B Felony) and 3^rd Degree (E Felony), Aggravated Sexual Abuse 2^nd Degree (C Felony), Sexual Abuse 1^st 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 2^nd Degree (D Felony);

Richard Tallarida of Elmira: Criminal Sexual Act 2^nd Degree (D Felony), Rape 2^nd 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 2^nd Degree (D Felony) and Criminal Sexual Act 2^nd Degree (D Felony);

Wayne Niles of Elmira: Rape 2^nd Degree (D Felony);

Aaron Labar of Prattsburgh: Sexual Abuse 1^st Degree (D Felony) but the charges has been returned to local court and will be amended to Sexual Abuse 2^nd 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 pleaded guilty to the following charges:

Brittany Skinkle of Elmira: Criminal Sexual Act 1^st Degree (B Felony);

Gregory Scears of Elmira: Rape 3^rd Degree (E Felony);

Summer Elliott of Elmira: Criminal Sexual Act 2^nd Degree (D Felony) and Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (C Felony);

Steven Sherman of Elmira: Rape 3^rd Degree (E Felony);

Kayla Montgomery of Olean: Criminal Sexual Act 1^st Degree (B Felony)