PAWLING, NY — A local woman accused of attacking three senior citizens who were protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in January has been sentenced to six months in jail.
Annette Strehle, 53, of Pawling, pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted assault and two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief.
Strehle was remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transitions Center to serve the 6 month sentence. After her release, she will be on probation for five years, the Dutchess County District Attorney's office said, in an announcement Monday.
Judge Jessica Segal, who presided over the case, also issued full orders of protection for the victims.
Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi said it was a "violent confrontation," against people who were peacefully exercising their constitutional right to protest ICE.
"Peaceful protest is a fundamental constitutional right, and no one should ever have to fear being assaulted, threatened, or intimidated simply because someone disagrees with their views," Parisi said. "What occurred here was not an expression of political disagreement; it was an act of violence against individuals who were lawfully exercising their rights."
"The fact that the victims in this case were all over the age of 65 makes this conduct particularly troubling," he added.
The incident happened on Jan. 10, 2026 around 1 p.m. in Pawling in the vicinity of Route 22 and Main Street.
Strehle was accused of punching one woman in the chest with a closed fist, shoving another woman to the ground, and flinging a third woman to the ground while attempting to take her cell phone, prosecutors said. Strehle also damaged two of the women's eyeglasses by crushing them in her hands, according to the District Attorney's office.
Read more:
Grand Jury Indicts NY Woman Accused Of Attacking Elderly ICE Protesters
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