STAFF REPORTS
FRANKLINVILLE — Two teenage boys were charged with multiple felonies following an Amber Alert issued by New York State Police in Machias.
According to the NYSP report, at approximately 7:58 a.m., Machias patrol received a report of a 12-year-old female runaway from the Town of Franklinville. During the investigation information was obtained that the 12-year-old female, McKenzie R. Wilson, had been linked to an 18-year-old male from a recent arrest of disseminating indecent material to a minor. The 18-year-old male, Joshua R. Monette, and a 16-year-old mutual friend, John D. Harvey were also unaccounted for at the time of Wilson’s disappearance.
While conducting neighborhood interviews, Troopers received a report of a stolen vehicle not far from the residence of Monette. The complainant of the stolen vehicle also reported that a handgun was inside the stolen vehicle. The father of Monette also reported a handgun missing from the residence. This information, combined with the previous encounters, led investigators to believe this to be a possible child abduction therefore requiring the initiation of an Amber Alert Message.
At approximately 4:10 p.m. SP Machias Bureau of Criminal Investigation and patrols located all three subjects along with the stolen vehicle at an abandon house near the suspects residence. No injuries to any involved parties.
Cattaraugus County District Attorney Lori Rieman was consulted and both males charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and second-degree unlawful imprisonment — due to Wilson being younger than 16 years old. Monette is additionally being charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
Both suspects are being arraigned at the Town of Machias Court.
