Massena man fined after pleading guilty to reduced count

MASSENA - A 37-year-old Massena man was fined after pleading guilty to a violation in a plea bargain agreement that satisfied several charges filed against him following a domestic dispute on Jan. 10.

Massena Village Justice Eric J. Gustafson fined Bruce J. Kearns of 325 East Orvis St., Massena, $100 and a $125 surcharge after he pleaded guilty disorderly conduct. He was also placed under a one-year conditional discharge.

Kearns had been charged with second-degree unlawful imprisonment, fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree harassment by village police at 8:45 p.m. Jan. 10.

Police said Kearns had been arguing with Crystal Moniere and prevented her from leaving a bedroom and later the back door of a residence at 7 Tamarack St. He allegedly grabbed Moniere, pushed her, punched her in the face and threw her to the ground during the argument. Moniere eventually was able to escape from the house, went to a nearby bar and police were called.

In other recent court action before Judge Gustafson:

• Cynthia M. Mulligan, 56, of Massena was granted an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. She had been charged with petit larceny and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child following an alleged shoplifting incident on the evening of Sept. 5, 2009 at Walmart. Those charges will be dismissed if she remains offense free for the next six months.

Mulligan and Kimberly A. St. Louis had been charged with shoplifting $139.20 worth of merchandise from Walmart. The two women were reportedly shopping together along with three children - then 9 and twin eight year olds - when Mulligan walked out of the store without paying for at least $139 worth of merchandise in her cart.

Mulligan stressed during her court appearance she was not admitting any guilty to the allegations. "The only thing I did at Walmart was ask questions. I was told to read something at Walmart I could not read because I didn't have my glasses. They told me if I did not sign it I was going to jail." she charged.

• Tierra M. Lafrance, 18, of 881 River Road, Akwesasne, was fined $25 and an $85 surcharge after a reckless driving count was reduced to failure to obey a traffic control device. She had been charged with reckless driving following a traffic stop at 4:42 p.m. July 14 on East Orvis Street.