INTERSTATE 390: Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the
arrest of a Wyoming County man on numerous charges after a traffic stop on
Interstate 390. On May 23, 2018 Deputy Shawn Whitford was assigned to the
Sheriff’s Office Operation Safe Interstate initiative when he stopped a vehicle
on Interstate 390 for a violation of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law.
The Deputy Sheriff identified the driver as 43-year-old
Clinton R. Brown of Castile, NY and suspected that he may be operating the
vehicle under the influence of alcohol. The Deputy Sheriff requested that Brown
exit his vehicle in order to perform a set of standardized field sobriety
tests. Brown complied with the request however when he got out of his vehicle
he allegedly reached into his pocket and threw an item into the high weeds on
the side of the road.
Several other members of the Sheriff's Office, including
Deputy Michael Wade and his K-9 partner Hondo, responded to assist with the
traffic stop and search of the thrown item. The Deputies located the item that
Brown threw which turned out to be marijuana.
Deputy Matthew Thomas from the Sheriff’s Office STOP DWI
Unit conducted the sobriety tests on Brown and following his roadside
investigation, placed Brown under arrest for DWI.
Brown was also charged by Deputy Whitford with the felony of
tampering with physical evidence, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle
in the 3rd degree, as his license had been suspended three times, unlawful
possession of marijuana, refusal to take a pre-screen alcohol test, and
drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle on a highway.
Brown was taken to the Sheriff's Office Headquarters in
Geneseo where he refused to submit to a breathalyzer test.
Brown was then turned over to Central Booking Deputies at
the Livingston County Jail for processing and pre-arraignment detention. The
District Attorney's Office was contacted in regards to bail due to the felony
charges and provided a bail recommendation of $5,000 cash or $10,000.
Brown was later arraigned in the Town of Avon Court before
Judge Torregiano. The Judge did remand Brown to the custody of the Sheriff on
$5,000 cash or $10,000 bond.
Deputy Jason Butterbrodt also assisted on scene.
