Rockland Crimes

SPRING VALLEY MAN CHARGED WITH SKIPPING COMMUNITY SERVICE, FALSIFYING COURT DOCUMENTS
DA’S PRESS RELEASE

James M. Joseph, 29, of 6 Sherman Drive, Spring Valley, New York has been arrested and arraigned on one count of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, a class “E” felony. On October 10, 2012, Joseph is accused of submitting a letter to the Village of Spring Valley Justice Court stating that he had completed several required hours of community service with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rockland County.

The defendant had been court-ordered to supply proof of community service with a non-profit organization following his arrest on unlawful possession of marijuana charges. According to the charges, Joseph did not complete any of the required hours and falsified the document. The arrest of the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Rockland County Special Investigations Unit.

Joseph was arrested on December 17, 2012 and arraigned in the Town of Ramapo Justice Court before the Honorable Rhoda Schoenberger. He was released was released on his own recognizance and is due to return to the Village of Spring Valley Justice Court on January 10, 2013. A class “E” felony is punishable by up to four years in state prison. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Ameenah Karim.

ORANGE COUNTY WOMAN CHARGED IN $56K THEFT FROM EMPLOYER DA’S PRESS RELEASE

Erica Sanford, 25, of 235 Park Terrace Road, Monroe, New York has been arrested and arraigned on one count of grand larceny in the second degree, a class “C” felony. Between June 17, 2010 and September 11, 2012, Sanford, who was employed as a bookkeeper by Tri-State Carpet Connections, Inc. in Tappan, New York, is accused of stealing money from the company to pay personal bills.

According to the charges, the defendant made numerous electronic withdrawals and unauthorized transfers from the company account to pay her MasterCard account. Sanford is accused of stealing more than $56,000 from her employer. The theft was uncovered by Tri-State’s accountant, who notified the owner. Detectives from the Orangetown Police Department were contacted.

The Orangetown Police Department collaborated with the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit in making the arrest. Sanford was arraigned in the Town of Orangetown Justice Court before the Honorable Patrick Loftus and released on his own recognizance. The defendant is due to return to court on January 23, 2013. She faces up to seven years in state prison, if convicted. Senior Assistant District Attorney Kristen Conklin is prosecuting the case.