Seneca Sheriff’s Department Probe Lands Before Grand Jury

Testimony began yesterday as the probe into criiminal activitity within the Seneca County Sheriff’s Department landed before a grand jury. Almost a year after the fire that destroyed a warehouse at the former Seneca Army Depot used by the Sheriff’s Department, special prosecutor Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo convened the grand jury Wednesday at the Seneca County Courthouse in Waterloo. Subpoeans were delivered last week. The February 3rd, 2006 fire destroyed Sheriff’s Department equipment including the RV used as a mobile command post, navigational equipment, a vehicle and evidence. As the investigation into the fire widened, the focus turned to an investigation about a tire scheme in which department owned tires were allegedly traded for other tires for a personnel vehicle. Former Undersheriff James Larson resigned last March and a deputy was fired following the fire invesitgation.