ESOPUS — An Ulster County man was arrested on felony charges accusing him of contacting an alleged victim multiple times who has an order of protection against him.
Gerard L. Castle, 38, of Saugerties was arrested by state police Thursday, following a lengthy investigation, said Steven Nevel, public information officer for state police Troop F.
The alleged victim is a former girlfriend of Castle’s, who resides in the town of Esopus, Nevel said.
Castle is accused of communicating with the alleged victim multiple times through e-mail, beginning in July 2022. During that time, Castle sent dozens of threatening e-mails from various e-mail accounts that put the woman in fear of her safety, Nevel said.
After closing one account, Castle would create a new account to continue the threats, Nevel said.
State police began their investigation Aug. 3, 2022, which led to Castle’s arrest Thursday morning.
Castle was taken into custody and charged with three counts each of first-degree criminal contempt, a class E felony; and third-degree stalking and second-degree aggravated harassment, both class A misdemeanors, Nevel said.
Castle was arraigned in Town of Esopus Court. Nevel said the investigation is continuing.
According to New York Penal Law, a person may be charged with first-degree criminal contempt when, in violation of a duly served order of protection, or such order of which the defendant has actual knowledge because he or she was present in court when such order was issued, or an order of protection issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in this or another state, territorial or tribal jurisdiction, he or she intentionally places or attempts to place a person for whose protection such order was issued, in reasonable fear of physical injury, serious physical injury or death when he or she communicates or causes a communication to be initiated with such person by mechanical or electronic means or otherwise, anonymously or otherwise, by telephone, or by telegraph, mail or any other form of written communication.
If found guilty on this charge in a court of law, the penalty may range from 1 year in jail to 4 years in prison.
The other two charges that Castle was arrested for, third-degree stalking, and second-degree aggravated harassment, are both misdemeanor charges. If convicted in court, each charge carries a penalty of up to one year in jail.