Man who shot Ghent house, going to prison

A Ghent man, that shot a Ghent house last December, while shooting at a deer, was sentenced to prison Thursday in Columbia county Court.

The Columbia County D.A.'s Office says 37 year old William Baldwin will serve 2 to 4 years for the reckless endangerment charge, and 1 1/3 to 4 years for probation violations.

He plead guilty to the charges last month:

On March 28, 2019, William Baldwin III waived indictment, was arraigned, and convicted by plea in County Court of Attempted Reckless Endangerment in the 1st Degree, Honorable Jonathan D. Nichols presiding. The Court will sentence William Baldwin III on April 25, 2019. Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett investigated this matter and arrested William Baldwin III. Shane Zoni represents William Baldwin III. (SCI No. 027-19)

Original press release from 2018:

DEPUTY SHERIFF’S RESPOND FOR REPORT OF A BULLET STRIKING A RESIDENCE IN GHENT

Ghent, NY: Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett reports that on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at approximately 3:51pm, Deputies were dispatched by Columbia County 911 for a bullet that struck a residence on George Road in the Town of Ghent.

Deputies and Investigators responded to the location and interviewed the owner of the residence, who was inside the home at the time that it was struck. During the initial investigation, it was determined that the bullet came from the property directly across the road.

Through further investigation and the interview of witnesses, it was found that William Baldwin had shot multiple times at a deer and he was shooting in the direction of the victim’s residence. The defendant had made attempts to conceal the act by instructing another person to dispose of the carcass at a different location.

Sheriff’s Office Investigators secured the firearm as evidence and NYS Environmental Conservation Police Officer Davey took possession of the deer carcass.

William A. Baldwin III., 37 years old of George Road in Ghent, was arrested and charged with Tampering with Physical Evidence (Class E Felony), Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (All Class A Misdemeanors).

He was arraigned in Claverack Town Court before the Honorable Judge Brandon and was remanded to the Columbia County Jail with no bail. The defendant is scheduled to appear in Ghent Town Court on January 14, 2019 at 6:00pm.

In addition, Officer Davey cited Mr. Baldwin with five violations of the Environmental Conservation Law.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges are possible.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office and the NYS Environmental Conservation Police.

Investigating for the Sheriff’s Office were Senior Investigator Mark Dunspaugh, Investigator William Dunspaugh, Investigator Kris Bauhoff, and Deputy Jordan Brahm.


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