This Week in Hastings Village Court: Harassment Charges

In a non-jury trial conducted by village Justice Joseph A. Disalvo, a young, male  Hastings resident, was convicted of committing harassment in the second degree against a school official at the Hastings High School.

On Nov. 30, 2009 at approximately 9:30 a.m., the man engaged in a verbal dispute with Maureen Caraballo, the district treasurer for the Hastings public high school, over paperwork that would allow his girlfriend to attend school.

Caraballo testifed that the man was cursing and making gestures that made her "nervous  for her safety," in which she then asked the defendant to exit the building. 

Two other witnesses, janitor Carlos Castanetta and Deputy Treasurer Nick Mackry for the Hastings public school, also testified at the trial that they witnessed aggressive verbal behavior.

The accused stated that Caraballo had, "raised her voice," and said that he "belonged in prison," which instigated his cursing and backlash.  The man denied that he hit Caraballo or threatened to do so.

Village Justice Disalvo found the defendant guilty and charged him with a conditional sentence of 20 hours of community service, escaping a maximum fine of 15 days jail time.

Disalvo said  he took the matter seriously, noting that there is a fine line that "should not be crossed with school authorities."  Disalvo also offered a lesser sentence after noting how much Peters, who is already on felony probation, had to lose.

He will be re-sentenced if he does not fulfill the requirements of his community service.