LI Couple Charged With Harassing Neighbor For 3 Years: Nassau DA

VALLEY STREAM, NY — A Valley Stream couple was arrested today in a racially charged case of harassment between neighbors, after officials say they repeatedly threw feces on their neighbor's lawn and shot a pellet gun at her house.

John McEneaney, 57, was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and first-degree harassment. If convicted, he faces up to a year in jail.

Mindy Canarick, 53, was charged with third-degree criminal tampering. She could face up to three months in jail if convicted.

The two were arraigned today and released on their own recognizance. They are due back in court on Oct. 9. And order of protection was issued by the judge against them.

The case came to light last month, when the couples' neighbor, Jennifer McLeggan, came forward with the accusations. She hung a hand-written sign on her door saying that the police had ignored her claims and that she was in fear for her safety and the safety of her young child.

“The sign on Jennifer McLeggan’s door broke my heart and rallied a community to her aid. It also moved my office to investigate this matter because nobody should have to live in fear of harassment from their neighbors," Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said. "Today, following a comprehensive review, investigators from my office arrested and charged these defendants because of a pattern of intolerable conduct that cannot be left unchecked. I hope that this prosecution, and the order of protection issued by Judge Prager today, afford Ms. McLeggan and her daughter the security they deserve, and I am grateful to the advocates and leaders who collaborated with our office throughout this investigation.”

According to Singas, McLeggan, a single mother with a 2-year-old child, moved into her home in Valley Stream in April of 2017, when she was pregnant. Singas said that she immediately began to be harassed by the couple. The harassment including shooting a pellet gun across her yard and throwing feces onto her lawn, which continued until July 2020, Singas said.

Singas said that McEneany, in order to annoy or alarm McLeggan, repeatedly shot pellet guns across her lawn, hitting a nearby street sign at least 20 times. McLeggan said that she was afraid she or her daughter would be shot by a pellet. Singas said that at least four pellets were found on her lawn.

After coming home from an overnight shift from her job as a nurse on May 30, 2019, Singas said that McLeggan saw Canarick, who is McEneaney's girlfriend, drop dog feces onto her property.

McLeggan said she felt the harassment started because she is Black, but Singas said there was not enough evidence to prove a hate crime was committed.