(Photo/Conrad Baker)
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – The man accused of leading numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies on a five-day all-out manhunt earlier in August was arraigned on felony Assault and Escape charges Tuesday morning.
Richard ‘Boo’ Henry, 35, now stands charged with two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, a D felony, by injuring a police officer and doing so while in immediate flight from the commission of a felony, and Escape in the Second Degree, an E felony, and an offer was made by the Livingston County District Attorney’s Office for a guilty plea to Assault in the Second Degree and 7 years in prison and 5 years of post-release supervision.
“The allegations here are that Mr. Henry fled from a Parole warrant and during the course of being picked up fled from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office,” said Assistant District Attorney Justin Hill. “A Deputy was injured in the chase, he injured his knee, and an extensive manhunt involving the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, ICE, Federal Marshals, Border Patrol, and New York State Division of Parole went on before he was finally apprehended.”
ADA Hill added that Henry is potentially eligible for persistent felony offender status or second violent felony offender status due to an extensive criminal background, which includes past convictions for Assault in the Third Degree, Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree, and Aggravated Harassment.
“We understand that the offer is to plead to Assault Second and seven years in state prison,” said Henry’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender John D’Arpino. “I would like an adjournment to conference further with my client in hopes of receiving discovery.”
Judge Dennis Cohen granted ADA Hill’s request that bail be set in the amount of $200,000 cash or credit card.
Henry’s girlfriend, Shannon Goodwin, 43, and his mother, Rhonda Pragle, 48, were arrested by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and charged with Hindering Prosecution in the Third Degree for allegedly helping Henry during his flight from law enforcement.