(WNY News Now) – A 24-year-old Ellington man faces a criminal mischief charge following an investigation into property damage reported to the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office in September.

ELLINGTON, N.Y. — Nathan Houser, 24, of Ellington, was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief following an investigation into an incident reported Sept. 23, 2026, according to the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were dispatched to the Ellington area at approximately 5:41 p.m. to investigate a past incident.

According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation determined that Houser intentionally damaged another person’s property.

Authorities reported that Houser had been observed driving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on a roadway before the incident. He was issued multiple traffic tickets related to that activity.

Houser was charged with criminal mischief in the fourth degree and is scheduled to appear in Ellington Town Court at a later date. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.