Tioga County Sheriff's Office

06/04/2026

Press Release 06/04/26:

1. On May 27, 2026, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office arrested Chance L. Harding, age 27 of Nichols, New York for the charges of Driving While Intoxicated, Speed Not Reasonable and Prudent, Failure to Keep Right, and Possession of an Open Container in a Vehicle. These charges resulted from an investigation into a personal injury accident that occurred on Hunt Creek Road in the Town of Nichols. During the investigation, it was found that Mr. Harding had been operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Harding was issued appearance tickets to return to the Town of Nichols Court at a later date.

2. On May 24, 2026, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office arrested Madison Barnes, age 23 and Jordan Hoyt age 25 of Owego, NY for Five Counts each of Animal Cruelty- torturing/ injuring/ failing to provide sustenance. These charges resulted from an investigation into an animal cruelty case that occurred in Newark Valley. During the investigation, it was found that both Hoyt and Barnes failed to provide proper food, and shelter to five dogs. All five dogs were taken into custody and transported to Stray Haven for further medical treatment. Barnes and Hoyt were processed at the Jail.

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

Press Release 6/2/26:

1. On May 26, 2026, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office arrested Brian C. Kotsubka, age 36, of Tioga Center, NY, for Criminal Contempt in the First Degree and Harassment in the Second Degree. The arrest was the result of an investigation of a domestic incident that occurred in the Town of Tioga. Kotsubka was arraigned in CAP Court and then released following arraignment. Kotsubka is scheduled to appear in the Town of Tioga Court on a later date.

05/29/2026

Press Release 5/29/26:

1. On 05/18/26, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office arrested Rondell Dowdell, age 37, of Endicott, NY, for the charges of Promoting Prison Contraband in the 1st Degree, a Felony, Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Felony, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree, an A Misdemeanor. These charges resulted from an investigation conducted at the Tioga County Jail, after Dowdell was brought to the Jail on other charges. During the investigation, it was found that Dowdell brought a quantity of methamphetamine into the Jail Intake and attempted to discard the substance on the Jail floor. Dowdell was arraigned at CAP, with Justice Simmons, and was released pending further court action.

05/14/2026

The Tioga County Sheriff’s Office would like to welcome our newest Deputy, K9 Shrek. Shrek and his handler Deputy Lawrence Alger went through many weeks of training and are now out protecting the residents of Tioga County. Shrek is trained in handler protection and tracking, with a specialty in narcotics detection.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Owego Police Officer Larry Vanek for all his help with the continued training of K9 Shrek and Deputy Alger.

We would also like to thank eNVy Pet Supplies of Newark Valley for their generous donation of food for K9 Shrek. (pic)

05/08/2026

Please join us in welcoming our first BOCES Law and Government student, Newark Valley High School senior, Anika Smith.

Over the last couple of days, Anika got an opportunity to get a firsthand look at nearly every aspect of the Law Enforcement and Civil Division here at the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office.

This morning, Anika spent time at the Sheriff’s Office with Sgt. Yaeger, our Evidence Technician. Anika got an in-depth look at how to process evidence and even got to try her hand at collecting fingerprints. Everyone at the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office would like to wish Anika success in her future endeavors.

05/07/2026

Press Release 5/7/26:

1. On 05/01/2026, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office arrested Isaac Smith, age 28, of Owego, New York. Smith had an outstanding Bench Warrant for his arrest, stemming from a failure to appear on one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree. Smith was arraigned before Justice Bennett at CAP Court and released to appear at a later date in the Town of Owego for further court proceedings.

2. On 04/30/2026, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office arrested Brandon J. Wright, age 41, of Waverly, NY for the charges of Trespass and Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the 2nd Degree. These charges resulted from an investigation into a trespass complaint in the Town of Barton. During the investigation, it was found that Wright returned to a property after an eviction was enforced. Wright was issued appearance tickets and was released.

3. On 04/24/2026, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office arrested Heather Babcock, age 41 of Endwell, NY for the charge of Driving While Intoxicated. This charge resulted from an investigation into a traffic stop in the Village of Owego where Babcock was found to be operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Babcock was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Village of Owego Court at a later date.

4. On 05/03/2026, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office arrested Roger M. Cole, age 32 of Nichols, NY for the charge of Driving While Intoxicated. This charge resulted from an investigation into a Motor Vehicle Crash in the Town of Nichols. During the investigation, it was found that Cole was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Cole was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Town of Nichols Court at a later date.

5. On 04/30/2026, the Tioga County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division arrested 28-year-old Nathaniel J. Crane, of Candor, NY for two counts of Sexual Abuse 1st degree, class E felonies. This arrest resulted from the investigation of a complaint of child sexual abuse in the Town of Candor. Crane was arraigned in CAP Court by Justice Michael Myers and remanded to the Tioga County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail; $20,000 bond; or $200,000 partially secured surety bond. Crane is scheduled to appear in the Town of Candor Court for further proceedings at a later date.

04/28/2026

Press Release 4/28/26:

On April 25, 2026, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office partnered with Tioga County Public Health and participated in the National Drug Take Back Event sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The event, which was held at 1062 State Route 38 in the Town of Owego, was a success. The total amount of unused and unwanted medications collected in a four-hour period was approximately 100 pounds.

On Saturday April 25, 2026, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office delivered approximately 200 pounds of unused and unwanted prescription and non-prescription medications to an incinerator facility in Syracuse NY for destruction. The total amount destroyed included items collected from the medication drop box at the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office, as well as drug take back events held by our agency since October 2025.

04/24/2026