FELONY ARREST IN THE TOWN OF NUNDA

NUNDA - Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrests of two Livingston County residents on felony and misdemeanor charges following an investigation by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.

On September 11^th, 2026 at approximately 9:00 pm, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area of State Route 436 in the Town of Nunda for the reported in-progress violation of an Order of Protection.  Deputy Matthew VanCuran did conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle on State Route 436 and made contact with the operator, who was identified as 43-year-old Meghan Soto.  A passenger in the vehicle was identified as 37-year-old John Kennedy.

During the roadside investigation, it was confirmed that there was a complete stay away Order of Protection in place against Kennedy with Soto being the protected party.  The Deputy also suspected that there was drug activity in the vehicle and conducted a drug investigation.  As a result of the investigation, Kennedy and Soto were found to be in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine.

Both Soto and Kennedy were arrested and charged with felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree and two counts of misdemeanor Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree.  Kennedy was additionally charged with misdemeanor Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree and Soto was also charged with violations of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law.The pair were transported and turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for arrest processing and pre-arraignment detention.  Soto and Kennedy were later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part (LC-CAP) at the Livingston County Jail before Town of Livonia Justice Chichester.  The Judge did release both Kennedy and Soto on their own recognizance, as the offenses do not qualify for bail under the NYS Bail Reform Act.The Livingston County Public Defender’s Office was present and represented Kennedy and Soto at the court arraignment for their defense. The Livingston County District Attorney’s Office also appeared to represent the People. 

Assisting with the investigation was Deputy Jerry Pilkenton of the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division.