The home of embattled Democratic Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren was raided Wednesday evening in connection to a major seven-months-long drug investigation.
The mayor’s husband, Timothy Granison, was arrested and hit with two drug charges and one gun charge.
Monroe Country District Attorney Sandra Doorley said during a Thursday morning press conference that authorities have reached out to Warren in connection to the investigation but have yet to get a response.
Doorley also promised forthcoming charges and refused to deny or confirm if Warren is tied to the bust.
Granison pleaded not guilty on Thursday morning to two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession of a firearm, according to Rochester First.
The judge was unable to place bail due to the nature of the charges and Granison was released on his own recognizance.
Timothy Granison, the husband of Mayor Lovely Warren. He’s seen walking out from the Monroe County jail with a shirt over his head. He did not answer any questions. This is after a search warrant was executed at the home of Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren. More info on @GSLSHOW. pic.twitter.com/1Vr2qB5IuV
— Geoffery Rogers (@GeofferyRogers) May 20, 2021
Takeaways from the Thursday morning press conference:
- Granison’s arrest was part of a seven-months-long investigation; he was not the initial target
- There were numerous warrants executed on Wednesday night, in addition to the Granison/Warren home. Seven locations were hit between Wednesday night and Thursday morning and more arrests are expected.
- At the time of the arrest, only the couple’s daughter was home, prompting questions from reporters concerning potential child endangerment charges in relation to the gun charge. Doorley refused to comment but noted more charges are coming.
- There have already been 2 kilos of crack cocaine confiscated from the busts, which equates to a street value of more than $60,000. Three firearms have been confiscated and more than $100,000 in cash was recovered.
- Doorley would not confirm nor deny Mayor Warren’s potential involvement in the investigation, including wire-tapping.
According to local news reporter and radio host Bob Lonsberry, New York State Troopers “didn’t coordinate any aspect of their investigation of the mayor’s husband with the Rochester police department.”
“It’s interesting to note that, apparently, the troopers didn’t coordinate any aspect of their investigation of the mayor’s husband with the Rochester police department. That’s operational security. It means they didn’t trust the chief not to tell the mayor.”
It's interesting to note that, apparently, the troopers didn't coordinate any aspect of their investigation of the mayor's husband with the Rochester police department. That's operational security. It means they didn't trust the chief not to tell the mayor.
— Bob Lonsberry (@BobLonsberry) May 20, 2021
Lonsberry noted, “The rifle seized by the New York State Police at the home of Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren was a so-called “assault rifle.” Such firearms are banned under a city ordinance for which Lovely Warren voted. I don’t know if the rifle was registered with NYS under the Safe Act.”
The rifle seized by the New York State Police at the home of Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren was a so-called "assault rifle." Such firearms are banned under a city ordinance for which Lovely Warren voted. I don't know if the rifle was registered with NYS under the Safe Act.
— Bob Lonsberry (@BobLonsberry) May 20, 2021
Mayor Warren sparked national headlines last year for her handling of the Daniel Prude case. In September, the entire Rochester Police Department (RPD) command staff, including then-Police Chief La’Ron Singletary resigned over the handling of the case and Warren’s actions.
“As a man of integrity, I will not sit idly by while outside entities attempt to destroy my character,” Singletary said at the time, a veiled shot at Warren. “The events over the past week are an attempt to destroy my character and integrity. The members of the Rochester Police Department and the Greater Rochester Community know my reputation and know what I stand for. The mischaracterization and the politicization of the actions that I took after being informed of Mr. Prude’s death is not based on facts, and is not what I stand for.”
Following his resignation announcement, Warren fired Singletary. The former Rochester police chief soon after filed a notice of claim to the city alleging defamation of character, hostile work environment, and wrongful and retaliatory termination wherein he accused Warren of repeatedly telling him to lie over the Prude case.
“I repeatedly refused to lie for Mayor Warren,” Singletary said in the filing. “Pressure to support Mayor Warren’s narrative also came from other city officials.”
Related: Mayor Warren After Drug Raid On Home, Husband’s Arrest: Attacks Are Political, I Won’t Resign
Related: Entire Rochester Command Staff, Police Chief Resign Over Daniel Prude Case