Allegany County: New Hudson man pleads guilty to 21-count indictment

A New Hudson man has pleaded guilty in Allegany County court to a 21-count indictment that includes a 282-plant marijuana growing operation and multiple burglaries. The charges against Christopher E. Herron, age 38, include:

1. Two counts of felony second-degree burglary
2. Criminal possession of a weapon-2nd
3. Four counts of criminal possession of stolen property-4th
4. Criminal possession of stolen property-5th
5. Possession of burglar's tools
6. Criminal possession of a controlled substance-7th
7. Three counts of criminal use of drug paraphernalia-2nd
8. Two counts of criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument
9. Unlawful growing of Cannabis
10. Criminal possession of marijuana-4th
11. Criminal mischief-3rd
12. Reckless endangerment-2nd
13. Criminal tampering-3rd
14. Criminal Nuisance-2nd

According to a press release from Allegany County District Attorney Keith Slep, In October 2017 Herron forcefully entered two homes in New Hudson and stole numerous firearms and personal items. During the investigation into the burglaries by state police, a search warrant was executed at his home where numerous items that were stolen were recovered, along with two credit cards belong to victims in Cattaraugus County. State police also found drugs, drug paraphernalia and a 282-plant marijuana growing operation in a secret room of the attached garage of his home.
Herron was arrested in November 2017 and remanded to the Allegany County Jail. He was arrested again at the jail for pulling the sprinkler system, causing his cell to flood and causing $700 in damage. The sprinkler system had to be removed from service until the repairs could be made, endangering the safety and health of the jail staff and inmates.
Herron is scheduled to be sentenced June 4th at 2 p.m.