BY SCOTT LEFFLER
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com

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When Lockport Lt. Adam R. Piedmont was arrested Sunday morning, the Niagara County Sheriff's Office listed the arrest on their "Press Access" website. The report lacked Piedmont's address — and any significant details of the arrest.

Niagara County Sheriff Jim Voutour said it wasn't good enough.

"I came in and I looked at the report and I thought it was vague," Voutour said, explaining that he then kicked the report back to the supervisor, who kicked it back to the arresting officer. "I told him I wanted exactly what happened. Don't make anything up. Just write down what happened."

When the report was sent back to be re-worked, it was taken off the press website, as often happens, Voutour said this evening.

In the time it was down, however, Voutour was contacted by a reporter for the Union-Sun & Journal, all but accusing Voutour of a cover-up of the incident. The US&J story, posted to their website at 5:22 p.m. Monday, describes the sheriff as responding "angrily."

A story on the Union-Sun & Journal website Tuesday all  but accuses NCSO of pulling Adam Piedmont's arrest report as part of a cover-up. (click to enlarge) (SCREEN  SHOT / LOCKPORTJOURNAL.COM)

Voutour said the reporter had it all wrong. Not only was he not covering it up, he was attempting to make sure the report was as accurate as possible. He knew the scrutiny the report would receive and wanted to make sure the arresting officer had all the details in black and white.

The process of kicking a report back isn't uncommon, he said, and once it happens, the report disappears from the website until it's approved. It's designed to ensure that the most up-to-date, accurate information possible is available.

Both reports are posted below in their entirety:

ORIGINAL REPORT:

Case # 201400065929 created By: BBLOOM - on: 10/5/2014 5:57:42 AM On Sunday, October 5, 2014 at 0433hrs Patrol tookPIEDMONT into custody after determining that he was driving while intoxicated after he was involved in a property damage auto accident (RL-65925) in front of 2769 S. Main St. Newfane at 0343 hours. Upon obtaining personal information from PIEDMONT in regards to the accident Patrol observed PIEDMONT to have glassy eyes and smelled the eminence of an alcoholic beverage coming from PIEDMONT while talking with him. Sergeant Warsocki was advised of the incident and responded to the location. PIEDMONTadvised that he hit the parked vehicle when he checked his cell phone for a message. PIEDMONT refused to submit to Standard Field Sobriety Testing advising that he was light headed and shaken up due to the incident. PIEDMONT refused medical attention.PIEDMONT was taken into custody without incident. PIEDMONT was read his miranda warnings and refused to submit to a breath test for his Blood Alcohol Content. PIEDMONT was taken to the Niagara County Sheriff's Office where he was issued Uniform Traffic Tickets for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Utilizing a Mobile Device, Driving While Intoxicated and Refusal To Submit To a Breath Test. PIEDMONT was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Newfane Court on October 7, 2014 at 1700hrs. to answer to the charges.12:28 AM

UPDATED REPORT:

Case # 201400065929 created By: BBLOOM - on: 10/5/2014 5:57:42 AM On Sunday, October 5, 2014 at 0433hrs Patrol responded to a property damage auto accident (RL-65925) in front of 2769 S. Main St. Newfane at 0343 hours. Upon arrival, Patrol noticed a yellow car with rear end damage in the middle of the roadway facing north bound with a male and female standing on the sidewalk. There was a red pickup truck parked in the Star Pharmacy parking lot with a male standing outside and next to the vehicle. Patrol approached GRAHAM and asked her if she was okay and she advised that her vehicle was parked when it was struck. Patrol went to the other vehicle involved and met with PIEDMONT, who advised that he struck the vehicle when he looked down at his phone after receiving a text message. PIEDMONT advised Patrol that he was not hurt in the accident. Patrol asked PIEDMONT for his identification, and upon attempting to hand it to Patrol, he dropped it on the ground. Patrol advised PIEDMONT that his registration and insurance were also needed. PIEDMONT stated" I need to get out of here" and Patrol advised him that he had to wait until Patrol completed his paperwork in regards to the accident. PIEDMONT went to his vehicle and supplied Patrol with the registration, and when asked for the insurance, PIEDMONT fumbled with a stack of paperwork that he had and appeared to have a hard time looking at the documents as he had to put it up to his face. PIEDMONT was unable to locate the insurance card. Patrol observed PIEDMONT to have glassy eyes, the odor of an alcoholic beverage and an odor of gum while talking with him. PIEDMONT was chewing gum when Patrol made initial contact with him. PIEDMONT appeared to be nervous and advised Patrol several times that it was his fault and he would take responsibility for the accident. Sergeant Warsocki was advised of the incident and responded to the location. GRAHAM spoke to Sergeant Warsocki and she advised him that PIEDMONT smelled of alcohol and that he should be arrested for driving while intoxicated. PIEDMONT was asked if he would submit to some Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, which he refused to submit to advising that he was just in a bad car accident and was feeling light headed and shaken up. PIEDMONT was offered and refused any medical attention. PIEDMONT was taken into custody without incident for Driving While Intoxicated. Patrol advised PIEDMONT that his Miranda Warnings would be read, and PIEDMONT advised that he was aware of his rights and that it was not necessary. Patrol read the Miranda Warnings, continually being interrupted by PIEDMONT, who advised that he understood the rights. Patrol did not stop reading the warnings when interrupted, and when PIEDMONT was asked if he understood his rights, he stated "Yes". When asked if he wished to answer any questions PIEDMONT stated "No". Patrol then read PIEDMONT his DWI Miranda Warnings and was again continually interrupted by PIEDMONT advising that it was not necessary. Patrol finished the warning without stopping and when asked if he would submit to a chemical test to determine the alcohol content of his blood, PIEDMONT stated "No". PIEDMONT was taken to the Niagara County Sheriff's Office where he again refused to take the chemical test. He was then issued Uniform Traffic Tickets for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Utilizing a Mobile Device, Driving While Intoxicated and Refusal To Submit To a Breath Test. PIEDMONT is scheduled to appear in the Town of Newfane Court on October 7, 2014 at 1700hrs. to answer the charges. Patrol completed the appropriate paperwork and supplied it to the Town of Newfane Court.

Voutour stressed that he would never stand for any sort of cover-up of an arrest in his office and noted that the arresting officer did the right thing, even if the first report filed was vague.

"I was very proud of my guy for doing something that's very hard to do — and that's arrest another police officer," Voutour said. "But that's his job and he did it. And I was proud."

Piedmont pleaded not guilty this evening in Town of Newfane Court to charges of DWI. He is due to return to court on Oct. 28. He was placed on administrative leave Monday morning by Lockport Police Chief Larry Eggert.

NOTE: Story edited at 10:20 a.m. Oct. 8 to include screen shot of Lockport Journal story.

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