Justin Ashe for Rensselaer County Sheriff

10/20/2026

Another great job by the members of Troy Police and another example of cooperation and coordination.

There is a detainer in place to keep this individual locked up

Troy Police Arrest Man on Four Counts of R**e Following Investigation Involving 16-Year-Old Girl

TROY, N.Y. — A 25-year-old man from Guatemala was arrested Monday afternoon by Troy Police Detectives following an investigation into allegations that he engaged in unlawful sexual activity with a 16-year-old girl in the City of Troy.

On October 13, 2026, Troy Police Detectives were contacted by detectives from the Manchester Police Department in Vermont regarding information indicating that an adult male had engaged in sexual activity with a 16-year-old female in Troy.

Detectives from both departments launched a joint investigation, working to determine the circumstances surrounding the reported incidents. During the investigation, police learned that the victim and suspect were familiar with each other. According to police, the victim was legally unable to consent due to her age under the circumstances of the alleged offenses.

Investigators identified the suspect as Kovy B. Carrillo-Flores, 25, of Guatemala.

On October 19, Troy Police Detectives conducting surveillance observed Carrillo-Flores in the area of Fifth Avenue and 116th Street in the Lansingburgh section of the city.

Detectives approached Carrillo-Flores, identified themselves as police officers and attempted to take him into custody. According to police, Carrillo-Flores became combative and began physically fighting with detectives attempting to arrest him.

During the struggle, police said Carrillo-Flores bit one detective, while a second detective sustained an injury to the wrist. Despite the resistance, detectives were able to take Carrillo-Flores into custody.

Carrillo-Flores was transported to Troy Police Central Station, where he was interviewed and processed.

Following the investigation, Carrillo-Flores was charged with four counts of R**e in the Third Degree. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Troy City Court on October 20, 2026.

Troy Police thanked the Manchester Police Department in Vermont for its assistance and cooperation throughout the investigation. Detectives from both agencies worked together to gather information while providing support to the victim and her family.

10/18/2026

What the Olympics Can Teach Us About Politics 🇺🇸

This weekend, I’m in Lake Placid for a hockey tournament at the historic Olympic Center. Being here got me thinking about something much bigger than sports.

The Olympics bring together athletes from all walks of life. Different countries, races, religions, backgrounds, and beliefs. They don’t all speak the same language, share the same values, or see the world the same way.

Yet they come together with a common purpose to compete, represent something bigger than themselves, and respect one another.

They compete fiercely. They want to win. They don’t always agree. But when the competition is over, they can still shake hands and show respect.

So why can’t we do the same in politics?

When did having a different opinion make someone an enemy? When did political affiliation become more important than character, integrity, or doing what’s right?

We don’t have to agree on everything. We shouldn’t be expected to. Different perspectives are what make our country great.

But somewhere along the way, we’ve allowed political differences to divide our communities, friendships, and sometimes even our families.

We can disagree without disrespecting. We can compete without tearing each other down. And we can stand firm in our beliefs while still respecting someone else’s.

Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, Conservative, Independent, or somewhere in between, we’re all neighbors. We all want safe communities, opportunities for our children, and a better future.

Standing here in Lake Placid, surrounded by Olympic history, it’s a reminder that competition doesn’t have to mean division. At the end of the day, we’re not supposed to be enemies. We’re supposed to be Americans. 🇺🇸 Maybe it’s time we started acting like we’re on the same team.

10/16/2026

Why are they walking away? Another experienced deputy leaving the sheriffs office.

The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office is losing another experienced member of its ranks, this time a Sergeant is moving to another law enforcement agency.

Every time we lose an experienced deputy or supervisor, we lose valuable knowledge, leadership, and years of experience that cannot simply be replaced overnight.

We cannot continue to lose experienced personnel and expect the Sheriff’s Office to operate at its full potential.

As a candidate for Rensselaer County Sheriff, I have a plan to change that.

My priorities include improving morale, rebuilding trust between leadership and personnel, retaining experienced deputies, and implementing an aggressive recruitment strategy to attract qualified new deputies. We need to create an environment where employees feel respected, supported, and proud to build their careers.

Recruitment is important, but retention is just as critical. We must address the reasons experienced personnel are leaving while working to bring staffing back to full strength.

After 20 years in law enforcement, I understand that a successful Sheriff’s Office starts with strong leadership and the men and women who serve within it.

The residents of Rensselaer County deserve a Sheriff’s Office that is fully staffed, properly trained, proactive, and focused on public safety.

It’s time to stop losing experience, start rebuilding our ranks, and get the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office back on track.

Justin Ashe
Candidate for Rensselaer County Sheriff

Leadership. Experience. Proven Results.

10/12/2026

Let’s start a weekly series about the Office of Sheriff.

Week 1

How should the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office measure success? This is a question I ask you the people? Should it be by arrests, crimes prevented, investigations completed, response times, or a combination of all four?"

10/01/2026

I had the pleasure of working with Robert. He was a great man, great coworker, great father and great person. He is truly missed.

Please always move over and use caution

09/30/2026

Politics was never supposed to belong to a handful of insiders. It was supposed to belong to the people.

Too often, candidates seeking endorsements are expected to sit before party committees that can be heavily influenced by current elected officials and political power brokers. When endorsements, government jobs, appointments, and political connections become intertwined, people have every right to ask

Who is the system really working for the people, or the people already in power?

Too often, candidates are asked, “What can you do for the party?”

I believe that’s the wrong question.

The question should be: “What can you do for the people?”

I don’t serve a political party, party bosses, or political insiders. I’m running for Rensselaer County Sheriff to serve the people of Rensselaer County.

That matters even more in law enforcement. Law enforcement must be fair, impartial, and independent of political influence. The law should apply equally regardless of your political affiliation, connections, last name, or who you know.

Republican. Democrat. Conservative. Independent. Before any of those labels, we are neighbors.

I’m not running to become part of a political machine. I’m running because public service should mean exactly thatservice to the public.

The Sheriff’s Office belongs to the people, and the people in power should always answer to the people they serve.

09/28/2026

https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-the-rizzo-family-after-a-devastating-house-fire?attribution_id=sl:b2d45384-766b-456f-8f70-53375d3f99d0&lang=en_US&ts=1790582865&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp30-treatment-7&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwVERDUAUnZNpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAWZkaWQWUPTWefs-8eN2pmApsSYviOj2VTEYM3NydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4E25NQHJr17Mg5XXgTkzsF4BrL6PspFwHsh1FnBGOv-pEkul-HXpN8tT9c9w_aem_x9TGMQr7UBA7arNVNIDYvA

On the night of September 27, 2026, the Rizzo family experi… Missy Re*****on needs your support for Please Help the Rizzo Family After a Devastating House Fire

09/23/2026

Politics is a very funny business. Right from the beginning people will question who you are and what party you’re affiliated with.

Let me tell you who I am so you hear it directly from me.

First and foremost I am a husband and a father. Secondly I am not a Democrat or a Republican. I have been a registered Conservative since I turned 18. My beliefs are pretty straightforward:

* I believe in God.
* I support the Second Amendment.
* I believe in putting America first.
* I believe we must protect our kids.
* I believe in individual freedom.
* I don’t blindly trust the left.
* I don’t blindly trust the right.
* I believe family comes before everything.
* I believe in and support the Constitution and the rule of law
* I believe America needs the strongest and most capable military.

These are my beliefs. They’re the principles I’ve carried with me throughout my adult life and they will carry me through as your Sheriff.

Vote the person not the party.

09/21/2026

Sounds like the GOP supports my stance on a debate with the incumbent Sheriff

Candidates in 19th and 21st congressional districts appear unwilling to take part in what has traditionally been a hallmark element of U.S. elections.

09/12/2026

Big shout out to my man Mike Engwer and the whole Proline team.

Good luck and drive safe!