Texas Man Accused of Harassing Ex-Girlfriend in Putnam

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports that a man from Texas was arrested in Carmel for allegedly making harassing telephone calls to an ex- girlfriend and for having a weapon.

Jose A. Bautista, of Canyon Lake, Texas, faces misdemeanor charges.

On Feb. 16, the ex-girlfriend filed a complaint of aggravated harassment against Bautista, telling police that he had repeatedly made harassing telephone calls to her. Deputy Sheriff William Rossiter investigated and, based upon the woman’s complaint, he obtained an arrest warrant from the Town of Carmel Justice Court.

At 12:57 p.m., Feb. 24, Deputy Rossiter located the 24-year-old in Carmel and arrested him on the outstanding warrant, charging him with Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree. During the booking process, the deputy said he found Bautista in possession of an expandable police-type baton; accordingly, Bautista was also charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree.

Both charges are class A misdemeanors, which are punishable upon conviction by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.00 on each count.

Bautista was arraigned before Town of Carmel Justice Joseph Spofford, who set bail at $1,000.00 cash and remanded him to the Putnam County Correctional Facility pending further court action. He was held in the jail in lieu of bail.