Accused Stalker Called Victim On Court Day: Sheriff

SOUTHEAST, NY — A New Hampshire man facing stalking charges in Putnam County has been arrested again and accused of continued stalking. He was also charged with contempt of court for violating an order of protection issued against him to protect the Southeast resident he's accused of harassing.

Rattana V. Phimmavongsa was arrested Jan. 18 and charged with Stalking in the 4th degree, a class B misdemeanor. His victim told police that she and Phimmavongsa used to play an online game together but she stopped having contact with him years ago. On Jan. 18 he showed up at her home after hacking into her online gaming account, police said. SEE: NH Man Accused Of Stalking Fellow Gamer In Southeast.

After Phimmavongsa was arrested on the stalking charges he was arraigned in the Town of Patterson Court and released on his own recognizance. The court issued an order of protection ordering him not to contact the victim.

However, on Feb. 11, the day he was scheduled to appear in Southeast Justice Court on the stalking case, police said Phimmavongsa called the victim at least 5 times.

The victim reported the violation of the court order of protection and members of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office responded. Deputy Christopher Tompkins was able to locate Phimmavongsa, who was still staying at Heidi’s Inn in the Town of Southeast.

Deputy Tompkins arrested Phimmavongsa, who was charged with several counts of misdemeanor level Criminal Contempt and transported to the Southeast Court for arraignment on the new charges.

Sheriff Robert Langley pointed out that the man was released without bail both times, as mandated by New York's new justice reform laws.

Under the old laws, bail could be set in an amount set by and at the discretion of the judge allowing into account factors such as ties to the community, the defendant’s risk of flight and the seriousness of the charge.

It is unknown if the man had enough financial resources to have made bail if it had been set.