WATERTOWN, NY – A Watertown resident, Alexandria Bellinger, of 820 Cooper Street, has been charged with multiple felonies, including Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree. Authorities allege that Bellinger knowingly submitted fraudulent applications to obtain government assistance benefits to which she was not entitled.  

 Allegations of Fraudulent Benefit Applications

According to law enforcement officials, Bellinger submitted applications for Temporary Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to the Jefferson County Department of Social Services on three separate occasions—December 20, 2021; October 3, 2022; and January 3, 2023.  

Investigators allege that Bellinger knowingly provided false information regarding her household composition and income on these applications. As a result, she fraudulently obtained $11,464.67 in benefits that she was not eligible to receive.  

  Criminal Charges

Due to the alleged fraudulent actions, Bellinger faces the following charges:  

- Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree: This charge applies when a person knowingly submits a written document containing false information with the intent to defraud a state or local government agency.  

- Grand Larceny in the Third Degree: Under New York law, an individual is guilty of this offense if they steal property exceeding $3,000 in value. Authorities claim that Bellinger’s fraudulent actions resulted in the wrongful acquisition of $11,464.67 in government benefits.  

- Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree: This charge is applied when a person fraudulently obtains public assistance benefits exceeding $3,000. According to officials, Bellinger knowingly omitted critical financial information to qualify for benefits she was not entitled to receive.  

   Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings

The Jefferson County Department of Social Services and local law enforcement officials conducted the investigation that led to Bellinger’s arrest. The case will proceed through the Jefferson County Court system, where she will face legal proceedings related to these charges.  

If convicted, Bellinger could face significant penalties, including potential jail time and financial restitution. Officials continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining integrity in government assistance programs and warn that fraudulent activities will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  

This case serves as a reminder that fraudulently obtaining government benefits is a serious offense, and authorities remain vigilant in identifying and prosecuting those who attempt to exploit public assistance programs.

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Watertown City Police

DALE LEE TIΡΤΟΝ (39) 525 Water Street - Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. A person is guilty of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree when he knowingly and unlawfully possesses a controlled substance.  At 6:10p Jan.29 on the 500 block of Jefferson St. Tipton was found in possession of 5 glassine envelopes containing fentanyl. Tipton was also arrested of a bench warrant and held for arraingment.

ZACHARY JARED LYNCH (34) 25791 NY-37 201 WATERTOWN - Criminal possessions of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. A person is guilty of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree when he knowingly and unlawfully possesses a controlled substance, the defendant herein, Zachary Jared Lynch, did on the fore stated time and place knowingly and unlawfully possess ss apprco approximately .59 grams of the controlled substance metharuphetamine, all of which is in violation of the statute made and provided in such case. Lynch was charged on the 100 block of High Street with Criminal Possession of A Controlled Substance, a misdemeanor. Lynch is accused of possessing .59 grams of methamphetamine and a Glock 17, 9mm semi automatic ghost gun with no serial numbers. Lynch has been previously conviced on three seperate dates. Lynch was picked up on a bench warrant and held for arraignment.

Alexandria Bellinger - 820 Cooper Street  - Offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. A person is guilty of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree when, knowing that a written instrument contains a false statement or false information, and with intent to defraud the state or any political subdivions, public authority or public benefit corporation of the state, he offers or presents it to a public office, public servant, public authority or public benefit corporation with the knowledge or belief that it will Il be filed with, registered or recorded in or otherwise become a part of the records of such public office, public servant, public authority or public benefit corporation. On or about the dates of December 20 2021, October 3 2022 and January 3 the above-named defendant, Bellinger, did submit applications for Temporary Assistance, SNAP and HEAP benefits to the Jefferson County Department of Social Services. In said applications, Bellinger, with intent to fraudulently receive said benefits, incorrectly reported information regarding her household composition and household income. As such Bellinger received $11,464.67 dollars in benefits, from Jefferson County Department of Social Services to which she was not entitled. Grand Larceny in the Third Degree- A person is guilty of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree when he or she steals property and: (1) when the value of the property exceeds three thousand dollars. During the above time, the above listed defendant, Bellinger, did wrongfully obtain $11,464.67 in Temporary Assistance, SNAP and HEAP benefits from Jefferson County Dept. of Social Services. Bellinger obtained these benefits under false pretenses by intentionally listing her household composition and household income incorrectly on three applications for Temporary Assistance, SNAP and HEAP benefits she submitted to Jefferson County Department of Social Services. Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree. A person is guilty of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree when he or she commits a fraudulent welfarea act and thereby takes or obtains public assistance benefits, and when the value of the public assistance benefits exceeds three thousand dollars. The above-named defendant, Bellinger, did commit the crime of Welfare Fraud in the Third degree by presenting to the Jefferson County Department of Social Services three written application for SNAP benefits on or about December 20 2021, October 3 2022 and January 3d 2023 with knowledge that the applications contained false information, that being intentionally omitted information regarding Bellinger's, household composition and household income. As a result of Bellinger's actions, she received $11,464.46 in Temporary Assistance, SNAP and HEAP benefits to which she was not entitled. Soc. Services Law 147 1.a. (ii)-Misuse of food stamps, food stamp program coupons, authorization cards and electronic access devices: Whoever knowingly uses, transfers, acquires, alters, purchases, transports or possesses food stamps, food stamp program coupons, authorization cards or electronic access devices which entitle a person to obtain food stamps, in any manner not authorized by section ninety-five of this chapter shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor except that if the value of the benefit he or she obtained: (ii) exceeds three thousand dollars, he or she shall be guilty of a class D Felony

During the above time, the above-named defendant, Bellinger, who was not an "eligible recipient of SNAP benefits, did knowingly acquire SNAP benefits from the Jefferson County Department of Social Services by committing a fraudulent welfare act on December 20 2021, October 3 2022 and January 3 2023 by submitting a written application for Temporary Assistance, SNAP and HEAP benefits knowing the instrument contained faise information regarding her household composition and household income. Bellinger's actions resulted in her receiving $11,464.46 in Temporary Assitance, and HEAP benefits to which she was not entitled.

PORTLAND, OR – The American Civil Liberties Union announced on Tuesday that a settlement was reached between the Department of Justice and rioters, including Antifa and Black Lives Matter-affiliated demonstrators, who engaged in violent and illegal actions that destabilized Portland in 2020.  

The lawsuit centered on allegations that federal agents deployed by the Trump Administration used excessive force against demonstrators. The ACLU accused federal law enforcement of “beating, shooting, and abducting” individuals, branding their actions as “unlawful and aggressive,” according to the Associated Press.  

Over a span of 90 days in 2020, local police arrested hundreds of protesters, while federal agents detained approximately 100 individuals. Authorities responded to escalating violence with non-lethal crowd-control measures such as tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray. Despite these tactics, the ACLU referred to these as “chemical weapons” and condemned their use.  

ACLU of Oregon Legal Director Kelly Simon stated that those arrested “suffered serious injuries because of federal law enforcement’s unlawful, aggressive actions,” claiming it was “just and fair” that they receive compensation. She added, “Our clients and all people who stood up for Black lives and against government tyranny.”  

According to journalist Andy Ngo, known for documenting Antifa activities, the settlement was finalized in the final days of the Biden Administration’s control over the Department of Justice.  

During the height of the rioting, The New York Post reported that demonstrators—many of whom were affiliated with Antifa—used slingshots to launch projectiles, including rocks, fireworks, and glass bottles, at law enforcement. Some hurled incendiary devices through the windows of the Portland Federal Courthouse. The report described protesters as “very hostile and violent” toward the police.  

A July 2020 Department of Homeland Security bulletin stated that Portland had experienced “over 50 straight nights of criminal violence perpetrated by anarchists targeting city and federal properties and those that inhabit them.” Portland’s mayor at the time, Ted Wheeler, admitted that violence had been ongoing for more than a month and called for an end to the “nightly violence.”  

DHS defended its response to accusations of infringing on the rights of peaceful protesters, stating, “Unfortunately, violent criminal activity is occurring in Portland. Between the hours of midnight and 5:00 a.m. every morning, well-organized criminal acts of violence and destruction of property (federal, public, and private) are taking place. These criminal anarchists have attempted to burn down and cause extreme damage to the federal courthouse and harm law enforcement officers.”  

The Associated Press reported that as part of the settlement, the federal government agreed to compensate individuals for injuries sustained during the riots, though specific amounts were not disclosed. Plaintiffs included a college professor and several Black Lives Matter activists.  

A federal report cited by the AP, conducted by the Biden Administration, found that “DHS was unprepared to effectively execute cross-component activities in Portland.” DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari noted that some officers lacked proper training, equipment, and standardized uniforms or tactics.  

During the deployment between July 13 and 30, 2020, of the 755 federal agents sent to Portland, 639 were injured. Many suffered blurred vision and headaches from lasers used by rioters, temporary hearing loss from fireworks and mortar explosives, and injuries from projectiles, including steel balls, rocks, and frozen bottles. Molotov cocktails were also deployed against federal agents.  

The unrest in Portland in 2020 remains one of the most prolonged and destructive waves of rioting in recent U.S. history, with Antifa playing a significant role in organizing and executing violent attacks against law enforcement and federal property.  

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