Mount Morris Resident Faces Felony After Traffic Stop

 Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of a Mount Morris resident on felony and  misdemeanor charges following a traffic stop. 

On May 17, 2022 Sheriff’s Investigator Shawn Whitford conducted a traffic stop on Groveland Station Road in  the Town of Groveland after he recognized the operator as an individual with a suspended license. The operator  of the vehicle was in fact that individual, and was identified as 44-year-old Crystal A. Rizzo. 

During the stop, it was discovered that Rizzo was in possession of a stun gun and also had a past conviction for  a weapons charge.  

Rizzo was arrested and charged with felony Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree and  Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree. 

Rizzo was transported and turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for processing  and pre-arraignment detention. The District Attorney’s Office was contacted in regards to bail due to the felony  level charge. It was recommended that Rizzo would fit the criteria for bail to be set due to her having two other  felony cases pending and their request was $2,500 cash/credit or $5,000 secured bond. 

Rizzo was later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part (LC-CAP) at the Livingston  County Jail before Town of Lima Justice Harris. The Judge declined to use the recommendation of the District  Attorney’s Office and instead released Rizzo on her own recognizance and Deputies set her free.  

The Livingston County Public Defender’s Office was present and represented Rizzo at the court arraignment for  her defense. The Livingston County District Attorney’s Office was notified but did not appear to represent the  people.  

Assisting with the investigation for the Sheriff’s Office was Deputy Jayme Babocsi.