William Gahr and Layne Dagata were found guilty in a robbery and coercion case stemming from an incident on December 29, 2022. The case began when a woman requested a ride from Rochester to Wayne County, unknowingly setting off a chain of events involving demands for money owed from a previous drug deal. The victim was coerced into withdrawing $300 as partial repayment, leading to an investigation by the State Police.
Carol Shannon, involved in arranging the ride, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, while Dagata and Gahr faced trial. Both with prior criminal records, they were convicted on March 29 for Robbery in the Second Degree and Coercion in the First Degree, facing significant prison sentences.
The successful prosecution highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office and the State Police. Sentencing for Shannon, Dagata, and Gahr is scheduled for May 28 marking the close of a case that began with a seemingly simple request for a ride.
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