Sheridan man who reportedly attacked officer charged

SHERIDAN — A Sheridan man who reportedly punched and placed a Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputy in a choke hold is facing a host of charges.

The Sheriff’s Office on Thursday announced the arrest of 37-year-old Adam F. Rice on charges of second-degree strangulation, third-degree assault, second-degree obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and second-degree harassment.

Deputies picked up Rice on a warrant check Thursday at a Route 20 residence in the town of Sheridan. The Sheriff’s Office said Rice allegedly “physically attacked a Sheriff’s Deputy; punching the deputy and by placing the deputy in a choke hold.”

Rice was taken to Chautauqua County Jail for centralized arraignment and is scheduled to appear in Sheridan Town Court later.

In December 2018, Rice was charged after deputies responded to a reported fight in the early morning hours that included several people. He was remanded to jail at the time on charges of third-degree criminal mischief and three counts of second-degree harassment.

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

¯ ELLERY — Walter L. Whitfield Jr., 44, of Celoron, was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and failure to keep right. Deputies stopped a vehicle at 12:40 a.m. Thursday on Route 430 in the town of Ellery for a moving violation. A license check showed 17 suspensions, and further investigation found that Whitfield was allegedly in possession of scales, packaging materials, and quantity of methamphetamine. He is scheduled to appear in Ellery Town Court later.

¯ CLYMER — Thomas Parker, 33, of Harbor Creek, Pa., was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and fourth-degree computer tampering. Parker was charged following a lengthy investigation by the Sheriff’s Office. It is alleged that Parker stole over $1,000.00 from a business in Clymer were he was employed. It is also alleged that Parker unlawfully accessed and altered that business’s computer records. He is scheduled to appear in Mina Town Court later.

WESTFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT

¯ Dale R. King, 63, of Westfield, was charged with driving while intoxicated, DWI per se and failure to stay in lane. Officers observed a vehicle Dec. 27 commit a traffic violation on Route 5 in the town. An investigation found that King was allegedly intoxicated. He was transported to Westfield police for processing and is scheduled to appear in Westfield Town Court later.

¯ Brock D. Tyrrell, no age or address listed, was charged with first-degree criminal contempt. Officers stopped a vehicle Dec. 22 on Plank Road for having a headlight out. Tyrrell was found to be in violation of an order of protection from another person. Tyrrell was taken for central arraignment.