Troopers: Registered sex offender stabbed to death
Wellsville Village Police arrested the victim for multiple crimes in 2022
From Staff Reports,
An altercation at a motel in Alfred NY has lead to the death of 32-year-old male. Sean Dawson, formerly of Wellsville, was deceased when police arrived to find a 27-year-old male attempting to clean the crime scene.
Village of Alfred Police Chief Joshua VanSkiver issued a statement earlier today acknowledging the large police presence and assuring the public that the matter was not a threat to public safety.
In 2022, The Wellsville Sun reported on Dawson’s multiple arrests:
Wednesday August 24, 2022
Wellsville Police arrested Sean M. Dawson, age 29 of Wellsville, charging him with Forcible Touching, Public Lewdness and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The charges stem from an incident that took place on East Genesee Street on August 13th. Dawson was additionally charged with another count of Public Lewdness and Endangering the Welfare of a Child for a second incident that took place on August 15th on East Genesee Street. Dawson was processed, issued and appearance ticket and released. Dawson is due to appear in Wellsville Village Court on September 6th at 4:30 pm.
Wednesday August 31, 2022
Wellsville Police arrested Sean M. Dawson, age 29 of Wellsville, charging him with Sexual Abuse 1st and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The charges stem from an incident that took place on East Genesee Street in August. Dawson was processed and arraigned before Wellsville Village Justice Thompson. Dawson was committed to the Allegany County Jail on $10,000.00 cash bail or $20,000.00 property bond or $40,000.00 partially secured bond. Dawson is due back in Wellsville Village Court on September 6th at 4:30 pm.
From the state police:
On August 21, 2025, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation out of SP Amity arrested Briar A. York, 27 of Alfred, NY for Murder 2nddegree (A-1 Felony) and Tampering with Physical Evidence (E Felony).
On August 21, 2025, at 10:22 A.M., Officers responded to the Economy Inn on State Route 244 in Allegany County for a welfare check on Sean M. Dawson, 32 of Alfred, NY. Officers located Dawson in his hotel room deceased from apparent multiple stab wounds. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation determined that Dawson was visited by York in his hotel room on August 19, 2025. Following a discussion regarding Dawson’s status on the sex offender registry, York became physically aggressive and stabbed Dawson multiple times. York attempted to clean the scene of possible evidence after the incident occurred.
York was located, arrested and transported to SP Amity for processing. York transported to the Allegany County Jail for CAP arraignment.
The NYSP Forensic Identification Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Allegany County Sheriff’s Department, Village of Alfred Police, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Allegany County Coroner assisted in this investigation.
