SECOND MAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH 2017 STOCKPORT HOUSE FIRE
Sheriff David P. Bartlett reports that a second man has been arrested in connection with an October 2017 house fire in the Town of Stockport. The arrest was made by way of a sealed indictment handed down from the Columbia County Grand Jury.
On October 1, 2017, the Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 290 County Route 25 in the Town of Stockport by Columbia County 911 for a fully involved residential structure fire. The residence was totally destroyed with the cause of the fire ultimately being ruled suspicious. The investigation led to the arrest of 31-year old William P. Travis III of Woods Lane in the Town of Stuyvesant. Mr. Travis was arrested on December 20, 2017, at about 7:15 pm by sheriff’s investigators and charged with Arson in the Third Degree (a Class C Felony). He is currently incarcerated in the Columbia County Jail awaiting court proceedings.
The investigation continued after the arrest of Mr. Travis and led Sheriff’s Office Investigators to discover that the homeowner, a Mr. Barry Goldstein was also responsible for the fire.
On today’s date at approximately 10:48 am, Investigators Reagan Anderson and Patrick Logue arrested 74-year-old Barry Goldstein at his residence in the Town of Stockport without incident. He was transported directly to Columbia County Court and was arraigned at approximately 3:15 pm by the Honorable County Court Judge Richard Koweek, at which time the indictment was unsealed. Mr. Goldstein stands charged with Insurance Fraud in the First Degree (a Class B Felony), Arson in the Third Degree (a Class C Felony) and Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (a Class D Felony). Mr. Goldstein was remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond. He will appear back in the county court at a later date.
The Columbia County District Attorney’s Office along with the Columbia County Cause and Origin Team and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control assisted the Sheriff’s Office with the investigation.
Sheriff Bartlett said, “This house fire created a dangerous situation for firefighters and residents. I would like to thank the Columbia County Cause and Origin Team, NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control, and all of the firefighters who responded and assisted at the fire scene. I want to also thank the public for their help and remind everyone that if you see something, say something”
I am also very pleased that the Reckless Endangerment 1st was able to be charged. That charge is for the firefighters who responded and ultimately battled the blaze. The firefighters in our community are totally volunteer. These brave men and women put their lives on the line every time the tones go out. People should be held accountable if the call is fictitious or intentionally set.
