According to Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy, on Monday February 29, 2016, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrested Nickcole Cotten, 29, of Queensbury, New York. Cotten was charged with offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree., a class E felony.

Based on the results of an investigation by the Washington County Department of Social Services and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Cotten is accused of submitting a forged document to the Department of Social Services. The forms submitted were required by the agency to continue benefits Cotten was receiving.

Cotten was arrested, processed at the Sheriff’s Office in Fort Edward, and issued an appearance ticket for a future court date in the Town of Fort Edward Court. The arrest was made by Investigator Kristen Hardy.