INVESTIGATORS: Lewis County mother and son charged for allegedly tampering with a witness in hopes to lessen prison sentence

LEWIS COUNTY- A mother and son are faced with charges for allegedly trying to lure a victim into signing a statement, with aims of lessening a prison sentence.

According to investigators from the Sheriff’s Office, Joseph R. Clement III, 33, and his mother, Connie S. Zink, 69, of Harrisville, NY were both arrested on Thursday for allegedly conspiring against a victim of a crime that occurred last June.

Both Clement III and Zink are formally charged with (Class B) misdemeanor counts of conspiracy in the sixth-degree. Zink was also charged with (Class B) Misdemeanor attempted tampering with a witness.

Joseph R. Clement III image.

Police officials say that Zink reportedly conspired via text message with her son, Clement III, who at the time was housed at the Lewis County Jail and remains there as of this report, to try and convince the victim to sign a statement, which would have been written from their point of view, with aims of potentially reducing a pending sentence for Clements’ previous alleged crimes.

Police mentioned that Zink met with the victim and attempted to have them sign the statement.

At press time, police said that Zink was processed and arraigned in Lewis County CAP Court.

Meanwhile, Clement III was issued with an appearance ticket, which is returnable to Lowville Town Court at a later date.

LCSO image.