Painted Post man arrested for falsely reporting emergencies

The New York State Police announce the arrest of a Painted Post man following an inquiry into repeated false reports made to emergency services and mandated reporters in Steuben County.

The investigation determined that over an extended period in 2025, the suspect made numerous false reports to 911 and the New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Hotline. These reports resulted in repeated law enforcement and child protective services responses and were ultimately determined to be unfounded.

Investigators further determined that the reports were knowingly false and were made in a manner that misused emergency and child protection resources.

As a result of the investigation, Thomas A. Margeson, age 40, of Painted Post, was arrested on January 1, 2026.

Margeson was charged with:

• 18 counts of Falsely Report Catastrophe Or Emergency To Official Agency- 3rd degree (A misdemeanor) in the town of Bath.
• 12 counts of Falsely Reporting Child Abuse Incident to a Mandated Reporter - 3rd degree (A misdemeanor) in the village of Bath.

Margeson was issued two appearance tickets: one for the Town of Bath Court on February 2, 2026, and one for the Village of Bath Court on February 4, 2026.