September 12, 2026 - DWI Arrest

Published on September 12, 2026

On September 12, 2026, at approximately 5:15 p.m., Tompkins County Sheriff’s Deputies received a traffic complaint from the Tompkins County Communications Center regarding a black Chevrolet Silverado reportedly being operated erratically on McLean-Cortland Road in the Town of Groton. The Tompkins County Communications Center advised deputies that the Silverado was traveling into Tompkins County from Cortland County and provided deputies with the vehicle’s license plate information.

Deputies subsequently located the Chevrolet Silverado traveling southwest on Fall Creek Road in the Town of Dryden. Deputies observed the vehicle cross over the yellow center line several times before conducting a traffic stop in the Village of Freeville.

Deputies identified the operator as 49-year-old James McGinnis of Tully, New York. While speaking with McGinnis, deputies observed signs of impairment. Following an investigation, McGinnis was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated.

McGinnis was transported to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office for further processing. He was charged with:

Driving While Intoxicated;
Driving While Intoxicated While Ability Impaired by Drugs; and
Failure to Keep Right.

McGinnis was processed and issued an appearance ticket directing him to appear in Dryden Town Court at a future date to answer the charges. He was subsequently released to a sober third party.