LANSING, N.Y. — A Tompkins County Sheriff’s Deputy has been charged with first-degree rape and first-degree sexual assault following an investigation into an alleged crime that happened about four years ago.
Deputy Scott Walters and another man named Matthew Pinney are both facing felony charges for the Feb. 2, 2013 alleged incident that happened at a home owned by Walters on the 400 block of Buck Road.
According to the indictment, the men had sexual intercourse and sexual contact with a person who was incapable of consenting “by reason of being physically helpless.”
They were both indicted and arraigned on the charges at the Tompkins County Courthouse by Schuyler County Special Prosecutor Joseph Fazzary.
The men appeared in front of Judge John Rowley as their indictments were unsealed Friday, but were not taken into custody. They have until 5 p.m. Monday to post a $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond.
Mugshots are not available of the men because they are not in custody at this time. But warrants for their arrest were issued on Dec. 7.
In a statement released by the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department, Lt. Dan Donahue said, “Walters’ employment status is a personnel matter, which cannot be discussed by this office. As this is not a Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office case, the Sheriff’s Office has been advised to refer all inquiries to Schuyler County District Attorney Joseph Fazzary, the prosecuting attorney in this case.”
He and Sheriff Kenneth Lansing were unable to be reached by phone for comment.
It is likely that Walters is suspended with pay.
When former Tompkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Vann was facing 16 charges for a crime in 2015, Ashley Rackl, executive assistant to the Sheriff Ken Lansing, said the following about why Vann was paid despite his suspension.
“It’s part of the bargaining agreement: It’s in their contract,” Rackl said in a brief interview at the time. “It’s defined in the collective agreement part of the deputies’ union.”
Both men are scheduled to appear at the Tompkins County Courthouse again for a conference not open to the public on Jan. 5.
Source: https://ithacavoice.com/2017/12/tompkins-county-sheriff-deputy-charged-rape-sex-abuse/