Judge Leticia Astacio indicted on weapons charge

[Acer-m14]

Embattled Rochester City Court Judge Leticia Astacio has been indicted by a Monroe County grand jury on a weapons charge.

Astacio was indicted Tuesday on the charge of attempted criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon, a felony. She was arrested and charged in April after being accused of trying to purchase a shotgun at Dick's Sporting Goods in Henrietta.

The arrest stems from an incident on April 2. Seneca County District Attorney Barry Porsch is prosecuting the case.

Astacio remains on probation for her drunken driving conviction and has not been hearing cases since her February 2016 arrest. The terms of Astacio's probation prohibit her from "possessing a firearm, dangerous weapon, or noxious substance."

It's the same charge as her earlier charge, but a grand jury ruled that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the criminal case.

Judge Leticia Astacio indicted on weapons charge

 

[Twogunwilly]

Lock her up

 

[Kwalsh]

I’m sure she is still getting a paycheck

 

[livingston]

I’m sure she is still getting a paycheck

Astacio appeared before the state Court of Appeals last week, where her attorney, Robert Julian, argued that she should not be removed from the bench.

The state Commission on Judicial Conduct recommended removing her from her position. The commission cited her 2016 drunken driving conviction, two subsequent violations of the conditions of her probation, and other inappropriate conduct while she was on the bench.

The Court of Appeals does not issue rulings from the bench, meaning that a written decision will be handed down at a later date.

Check back for more on this developing story.