While she stands guard at the Niagara Falls City Courthouse - with gun at her hip - as hundreds of alleged criminals pass through the checkpoint on their way to see the judge - Maria E. Prygon - a New York State Court Officer - went before a judge herself.
According to records at the Cheektowaga Town Court, Prygon, of Lewiston, was arrested and charged with petit larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and endangering the welfare of a child, all misdemeanors, arising out of an incident at the Galleria Mall. She was arraigned on February 17 and pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
The alleged crimes were said to have occurred inside the JC Penny Store in the Galleria Mall, while Prygon had a child in her company.
Prygon is a former Niagara County Sheriff Deputy.
As of 2012, Prygon had a reported salary of $68,491 from NY State.
The website, Notable Today recently recognized Prygon in their 2015 "Prestigious Notables List" for having "demonstrated or achieved notability".
Her next court date is April 10th.
The Niagara Falls Reporter wishes to remind readers that an individual charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the best standards of American law.