Valaria Davis, who pleaded guilty to menacing a Maple Commons tenant with a knife, is sentenced in Croton Village Court.

With consent from the victim, Judge Sam Watkins modified an earlier protection order so Davis is no longer required to stay away from her.

Davis’s attorney Anthony J. Messina

Since January the Chronicle has been covering the case of Valaria Davis, who was arrested for allegedly menacing a Maple Commons tenant with a knife and related charges. In March, Davis pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in Croton Village Court, after a plea deal between her attorney, Anthony J. Messina of Mt. Kisco, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s office. During the proceedings, it emerged that Davis and the victim were girlfriends; Judge Sam Watkins had enacted an order of protection that prevented Davis from approaching the victim in any way.

Today, June 4, Judge Watkins sentenced Davis to one year’s probation and a fine, and agreed to convert the criminal matter into a civil one, thus removing a criminal conviction from Davis’s record. Watkins also lifted the part of the protection order that prevented Davis and her girlfriend at Maple Commons from spending time together.

Assistant District Attorney Stephen Ronco explained to the court that he had several conversations with the victim, who consented to the lifting of the order. Messina explained that Davis was unemployed and was in treatment (earlier proceedings indicated that she was in a drug treatment program in White Plains, where she currently resides.)

Other cases today:

Other defendants whose cases the Chronicle is actively following also appeared briefly in court today.

Manuel Daquile Maurquiso, who was arrested on June 1 by New York State Police on felonies related to allegedly driving with a young child in the car on Route 9 in Croton, had his case continued until July 16.

Dengjin Chen, accused of scamming a Croton resident out of at least $20,000, appeared as well. ADA Ronco told the court that his office was reviewing the case for possible presentation to the County Grand Jury. His case was adjourned until June 18.

Christopher O’Keefe, the co-owner of Baked by Susan whose arrest on charges stemming from an alleged road rage incident we reported earlier this year, did not appear in court as scheduled because his attorney was not available. His next appearance will be July 9.

The Chronicle continues to cover court cases relevant to the Croton community, serving the public’s right to know.

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