CANTON – A Potsdam man was indicted Thursday (May 12) on burglary charges stemming from an alleged break-in at a Potsdam business in December.

A St. Lawrence County grand jury indicted Matthew Brouse, 34, 33 Market St., Apt. 6, on charges of third-degree burglary, fourth-degree criminal mischief, two counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, and two counts of petit larceny.

It is alleged Brouse unlawfully entered the Alchemistress tattoo and piercing shop on Maple Street between Dec. 15 and 17. Court documents state Brouse stole piercings, tattoo ink and caused damage to property.

Also indicted Thursday was Jesse Johnson, 39, of Lacona, N.Y. He was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, driving while ability impaired by drugs, first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and an ignition lock violation.

It is alleged that on Feb. 4 in the Village of Gouverneur, Johnson stole a motor vehicle and operated the vehicle on a public roadway while impaired by drugs knowing his license had been suspended or revoked. 

It was noted Johnson had been convicted of driving while intoxicated March 7, 2014 and April 24, 2017 in St. Lawrence County Court.

In grand jury action on May 5:

Robert Johnson Jr., 36, of 590 County Route 17, Russell, was indicted on one count each of fourth-degree and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. It is alleged Johnson knowingly possessed stolen property valued at more than $1,000 on Dec. 18 in the Town of Russell.

Sebastian Horton, 27, 506 Cedar St., Ogdensburg, and Wayne Simmons, 527 King St., Ogdensburg, were both indicted on two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. It is alleged that Horton and Simmons possessed fentanyl, with the intent to sell, and scales used to weigh controlled substances, on Dec. 23 in the City of Ogdensburg. Court documents also reported both Horton and Simmons possessed metal knuckles.

Joshua Jones, 29, currently incarcerated at the St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility, was indicted on seven counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and resisting arrest.

Jones is accused of possessing and defrauding forged U.S. currency on Nov. 21, on several occasions in the Village of Massena. He was also found to be in possession of an undisclosed controlled substance.