WGVA 106.3FM 1240AMMix 98.5101.7 The WallWFLR Finger Lakes Country Classic Hits 99.3The Lake 100.1/104.5 WAUB 96.3FM 1590AM

Yates County DA: “I Have Not Seen a Case Like This…”

SHARE NOW

At a news conference held on the steps of the old Yates County Courthouse in the village of Penn Yan on Monday, Yates County District Attorney Todd Casella publicly commented on the news made public last Friday that 18 people were indicted on sex trafficking charges against a child.

“In my 10 years as a criminal prosecutor, I have not seen a case like this…and if not for the hard work of the New York State Police that would still be true,” said Casella.

Casella was joined by members of the New York State Police on Monday. It was a tip received by that agency in October of last year that launched the investigation by the Horseheads barracks. The investigation centered on 49-year-old Andrew Daugherty, a Level Two sex offender who lived in Starkey. He was alleged to have sexually exploited a minor over the span of seven years at various locations in Yates County and the Southern Tier. 17 other people were also indicted in connection with the exploitation of the same minor.

“The predatory sexual assault charges against a child against Daugherty and Micheleine Ridley, also of Starkey, encompass a period of time from 2017 to 2019, added Casella. “The allegations within all of the charges cover from 2017 to October 2022.”

Below is the list of individuals arrested and their charges:

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.

Andrew Daugherty (Photo: New York State Sex Offender Database)

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);

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 pleaded 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)

Get the top stories on your radio 24/7 on Finger Lakes News Radio 96.3 and 1590, WAUB and 106.3 and 1240, WGVA, and on Finger Lakes Country, 96.1/96.9/101.9/1570 WFLR.