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Lewis County District Attorney's Office Statement
Regarding the Death of Defendant in Pending Rape Prosecution
Published: November 12, 2026
at 09:45 a.m.
By: Press Release from Lewis County District Attorney’s
Office
LEWIS COUNTY
DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
HON. JEFFERY G. TOMPKINS
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Lewis County District Attorney's Office Statement
Regarding the Death of Defendant in Pending Rape Prosecution
November 12, 2026
LOWVILLE, N.Y. — The Lewis
County District Attorney's Office confirms that a defendant charged with
Rape in the First Degree died on November 11, 2026, during an encounter
with law enforcement officers attempting to execute a bench warrant issued
after he failed to appear for a scheduled guilty plea and sentencing
proceeding.
The defendant was
scheduled to appear in Lewis County Court on November 10, 2026, to plead
guilty to Rape in the First Degree and receive a sentence of 15 years in
state prison. When he failed to appear, the Court issued a bench warrant
for his arrest.
According to a
public statement issued by the New York State Police, officers attempting
to execute the warrant in Carthage on November 11 reported that the
defendant pointed a handgun at a State Police investigator and failed to
comply with commands to disarm. State Police further reported that a State
Police member discharged a Division-issued
firearm, striking the defendant. The defendant was transported to Carthage
Area Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The incident remains
under investigation by the New York State Attorney General's Office.
Chief Assistant
District Attorney Joseph Hobika, III, who prosecuted the case, stated:
"Our
thoughts remain with those affected by the underlying crime and the events
that have followed. The defendant was scheduled to appear in Lewis County
Court on November 10, 2026, to plead guilty to Rape in the First Degree and
later be sentenced to 15 years in state prison. He failed to appear,
resulting in the issuance of a bench warrant. While the circumstances
surrounding his death remain under investigation, the result is that this
prosecution can never reach its intended conclusion in court. We remain
mindful of the impact that outcome may have on those who were prepared to
see this case resolved and a sentence imposed."
The Lewis County
District Attorney's Office is not responsible for investigating the law
enforcement encounter and will not comment on matters that remain under
active investigation. Questions regarding the incident should be directed
to the agencies conducting that investigation.
As a result of
the defendant's death, the pending criminal prosecution will be terminated.
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