SENATE OK’S RITCHIE BILL TO MAKE ELECTRONIC MONITOR TAMPERING A CRIME

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced her legislation that would make it a crime to tamper with electronic monitoring devices, like the ankle bracelet that was supposed to be helping law enforcement keep an eye on Central New York killer-child rapist David Renz, has passed the State Senate. 

The measure, Senate bill 2305, would make it a felony—adding up to four years of additional prison time—for an offender who tampers with a device and commits another violent crime, and up to one other year in jail if no other crime is involved. Currently, tampering with a device can be a violation of parole or pre-sentencing release, but it is not a separate crime. 

“Electronic monitoring devices are meant to help law enforcement keep watch over suspected or convicted criminals who would otherwise be behind bars,” said Senator Ritchie.

“The case involving David Renz demonstrated that these devices are far from fool-proof.  By passing this bill and making tampering with electronic monitoring devices a crime, we’re not only helping to deter further criminal activity, we’re also providing an additional level of protection that will help keep our communities safer and prevent future tragedies.”

According to law enforcement David Renz, who is currently serving a life sentence for his crimes, removed his ankle monitoring device before attacking and killing Lori Bresnahan, an ex-Oswego school librarian, and raping a 10-year-old girl in a Central New York parking lot in 2013. Renz was awaiting trial on federal child pornography charges, and reportedly tampered with the device nearly 50 times, removing and reassembling the bracelet with duct tape.

The bill was sent to the Assembly, where it is sponsored by Syracuse area Assemblyman Billl Magnarelli.