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NY Man Charged in Largest Seizure of Illegal Reptiles in State History

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ALBANY, NY – State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers executed a search warrant in Allegany, New York at the home of 71-year-old William Engelder’s early Thursday morning.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) charged an Allegany man with multiple violations in connection with an ongoing investigation into the illegal possession and sale of wildlife, resulting in the largest seizure of illegal reptiles in state history.

“When public safety and the well-being of wildlife are jeopardized by reckless care, DEC is committed to holding violators responsible,” Commissioner Seggos said. “I commend DEC staff for helping to bring these charges and look forward to continuing to work with the Cattaraugus County District Attorney and our law enforcement partners to uphold New York’s strong environmental laws.”

State environmental officials said had 300 reptiles in his house is facing numerous charges, including possession of wildlife without a permit.

William Engelder, 71, of Allegany, Cattaraugus County, was charged with reckless endangerment in the 1st degree, a class D felony; illegal sale of wildlife, a class E felony; possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor; nine counts of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals, an Agriculture and Markets Law class A misdemeanor; failure to provide proper sustenance, an Agriculture and Markets Law class A misdemeanor; 26 counts of illegally possessing and transporting venomous reptiles, a violation; possessing an endangered species without a permit, a violation; and 283 counts of illegally possessing a wild animal as a pet, a violation.

ECOs and Investigators with DEC’s Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation (BECI) unit along with DEC’s Division of Wildlife staff conducted a search warrant at Engelder’s residence in Allegany in August 2018, after receiving a tip about a man harboring illegal animals. The warrant resulted in the largest-ever law enforcement seizure of reptiles in New York State. Several of the animals seized were threatened species or species of special concern.

Venomous reptiles, including three king cobras, one of which was over 10 feet long, and six Gila monsters were among the animals allegedly illegally housed at the residence. King cobras are among the most deadly animal species on earth.

Seventeen bog turtles, a native endangered species of New York; two box turtles; 28 Blanding’s turtles; 53 wood turtles; two painted turtles; six snapping turtles; and 184 spotted turtles that were allegedly being illegally possessed were also seized. The final count of illegally kept wildlife amounted to 292 animals. Twenty boxes of various species of turtle eggs were also seized.

The Cattaraugus County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. If convicted on all charges, the defendant faces up to a maximum fine of $104,000 and/or up to 33 years in prison.

Photo credit NYS DEC

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Police/Fire/EMS

NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller Leaves Behind A Wife and Child

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“You were a good man and a great father whose shoes can never be filled,” Diller’s brother-in-law, Jonathan McAuley, who is also a cop posted to Facebook, FOX 5 NY‘s Jodi Goldberg confirmed. He also shared a photo with what appears to be Diller’s son wearing a shirt that reads, “My Daddy’s life matters.”

Rockland Report – mourns the loss of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed during a motor vehicle stop. We offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and NYPD officers, including the many active and retired officers who call Rockland home. 

Police Officer Jonathan Diller

$238,942 of $250,000
CJ
Organized by Christopher Johnson

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Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Deirdre Smith Sworn In as Chief of Detectives

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Chief Smith is a graduate of Manhattan College. She started her law enforcement career in 1993 with the NYPD and spent 5 years with the department before joining the Suffern Police Department.
She served for 22 years with the Suffern Police Department, retiring at the rank of Sergeant. Chief Smith was the first female supervisor in the department’s history. During her career with the Suffern PD, she received the prestigious Medal of Honor Award for Valor from the Rockland County PBA.

Chief Smith comes from a family that has a long history in law enforcement. Her father is a retired Inspector from the NYPD and sister has served with the FBI for 25 years.
In 2020, Chief Smith retired from the Suffern PD and joined the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office where she served as the first female Confidential Investigator to the District Attorney in Rockland County DA history. She has worked on many high profile cases during her time with the Office.

Chief Deirdre Smith is the first female to serve as Chief of Detectives for the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.

Photo by RCDA

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