Court documents revealed on Friday outline the case against the three individuals accused of kidnapping a minor, and holding him against his will in order to obtain ‘ransom’ money.
Seneca County District Attorney Barry Porsch announced that a Seneca County Grand Jury on Thursday filed an indictment charging Jesse James Dillsworth, Bryan A. Gonyou and Lisa J. Freer, all of Seneca Falls first-degree kidnapping – a Class A-1 violent felony, second-degree grand larceny – a Class C felony, first-degree conspiracy – a Class A felony, and endangering the welfare of a child.
The indictment alleges the trio abducted a man and held him captive for more than 12 hours to get a third person to pay them a ransom.
The indictment against Dillsworth, Gonyou and Freer alleges a 15-year-old minor, referred to as “B.G.”, actually helped the trio commit the crime.
Additionally, Jesse James Dillsworth was indicted on two counts of second-degree menacing for allegedly placing the victim in reasonable fear of serious physical injury by displaying a knife.
The defendants are currently being held at the Seneca County Correctional Facility without bail.
Click here to read the full indictment.
Original Report
On May 8, 2017, a search warrant was executed at the site of the crime by members of the Seneca Falls Police Department, New York State Police and Seneca County District Attorney’s Office.
The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.
The Seneca Falls Police Department arrested three Town of Seneca Falls residents on Monday morning following a search warrant execution at 25 Miller Street by SFPD and members of the New York State Police. The search warrant and arrests stem from a week long investigation into a kidnapping and extortion investigation where a 27-year-old town resident was held against his will at the Miller Street residence for a period of about 28 hours until a sum of money was paid.
The below individuals were charged with 2 counts of Kidnapping in the 1st degree (Class A Felony), Conspiracy in the 1st degree (Class A Felony), Grand Larceny in the 2nd degree (Class C Felony) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The child endangerment charge is due to a 15-year-old child being present during the incident.
Bryan A. Gonyou, Sr., age 39 of 25 Miller Street in Seneca Falls. Gonyou Sr. was additionally charged with Harassment in the 2nd degree.
Jesse J. Dillsworth, age 34 of 25 Miller Street in Seneca Falls. Dillsworth was additionally charged with Menacing in the 2nd degree and Harassment in the 2nd degree.
Lisa J. Freer, age 37 of 25 Miller Street in Seneca Falls.
All three were arraigned in Seneca Falls Town Court and committed to the Seneca County Correctional Facility without bail. They will reappear in Town Court on Thursday, May 11th at 5:00 pm for a preliminary hearing. In addition to the NYSP, Town Police were assisted by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office.
