N.Y. Deputy Draws Taser During Open Burn Investigation

Nov. 09--It took a Niagara County Sheriff's deputy drawing his Taser to get a Hillview Drive man to comply with an order to stop an open burn on Friday afternoon.

Responding to a report of an open burn on Hillview Drive, deputies found Jordan Cannova burning a large pile of leaves in his front yard.

Advised by the deputy that he was in violation of the open burn law, Cannova told the deputy he didn't believe him and said, "What's the big deal? I only have three piles left anyway."

Asked again to extinguish the fire, Cannova told the deputy, "I'm not going to put this out, I'm almost done anyway."

When asked for his name and other information, Cannova responded, "I don't think you need that. I'm done with this conversation."

The deputy said Cannova then picked up a large stick he was using to tend the fire and began leaning on it.

After ignoring requests to drop the stick, the deputy said he pulled out his Taser and "painted" Cannova with the device's guide light, in the area of his front lower torso, and told him the Taser would be used if he didn't drop the stick.

Cannova reluctantly complied, the deputy said, and was taken into custody. Cannova, 23, 3660 Hillview Drive, was charged with second-degree obstruction of governmental administration and violation of the local burn law. He was taken to Niagara County Jail in lieu of $250 bail.

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