Newfield Man Convicted of Firing Gun Near Sheriff's Deputies

ITHACA, NY (WENY) -- A Newfield man will spend time in prison, after a jury found him guilty of multiple charges in an incident involving law enforcement last year.

According to Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, a jury convicted 39-year-old Richard Marks, Jr. of two counts of Menacing a Police Officer, and one count each of Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and Criminal Contempt. Marks criminal trial began in Tompkins County court on April 8th, and concluded on Tuesday. Additionally, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on the two most serious charges of Attempted Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer. 

On April 15 of 2023, deputies with the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic dispute at a home in Newfield. Authorities say the victim told the deputies that Marks had taken off on a UTV into the woods. When deputies were looking for him, they claimed Marks pointed a shotgun and fired two rounds in their direction. 

The district attorney says the Menacing a Police Officer charge carries a sentence of up to eight years in state prison. Marks will remain in the Tompkins County jail until his sentencing, which is scheduled for June 5th.