Carmel Man Charged With Felony Assault of Two Sheriff's Sergeants

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of a Carmel man on a felony charge of assault on two Sheriff’s Department sergeants.

On January 9, 2017 at approximately 1:30 p.m., Sergeants Michael Szabo and Matthew Monroe responded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility for a report of a man who was refusing to leave the lobby. The sergeants determined that John A. Groissl, 59, of 21 Fowler Avenue, Carmel had attempted to visit a female inmate who refused to accept the visitation request, and that the man was refusing to leave the facility. Corrections staff had directed the man to leave the facility lobby several times, to which the man refused and continued to disrupt facility operations by his conduct. The sergeants repeatedly attempted to persuade the man to leave the premises and warned him that he would be arrested if he did not comply. When the man continued to refuse the sergeants’ orders, he was informed that he was under arrest. When the man continued to refuse to comply, the sergeants attempted to physically place his hands behind his back, and the man responded by attempting to strike the sergeants with a closed fist. The sergeants, with the assistance of other officers, took the man into custody while he continued to fight them and resist arrest.

Sergeant Monroe, Sergeant Szabo, and Mr. Groissl were all treated at Putnam Hospital Center for injuries sustained in the altercation and were released. Sergeant Monroe suffered abrasions and pain to both his knees, Sergeant Szabo suffered an abrasion to his left knee and pain to his left hip, and Mr. Groissl suffered an abrasion to his face.

Mr. Groissl was charged with Assault in the Second Degree, a felony, in addition to charges of Trespass, a violation; Obstructing Governmental Administration, a misdemeanor; Resisting Arrest, a misdemeanor; and Disorderly Conduct, a violation. The defendant was arraigned at the Town of Carmel Justice Court and committed to the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000.00 cash bail or $50,000.00 bond.

If found guilty of the felony charge, the defendant could face up to seven years in a New York State Correctional Facility and a fine of up to $5,000.00.

 

B
Submitted by Brewster, NY

Become a Local Voice in Your Community!

HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected.

Read Next