Canandaigua man charged with impersonating public official, threatening police with samurai sword – Finger Lakes Daily News

A Canandaigua man has been charged in connection with an incident that occurred last month involving a city police officer.

On August 6, officers attempted to speak with William Pealo about a matter when the 42-year-old allegedly pointed a samurai sword at an officer's chest and approached him aggressively. The officer was able to back away and attempted to verbally de-escalate the situation. Pealo then allegedly pulled out a badge and identified himself as a police officer. After his arrest, Pealo was taken to Clifton Springs Hospital for evaluation.

On Wednesday, he was charged with threatening a police officer and identity fraud.

The fact that a defendant is accused of a crime constitutes merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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