MONTICELLO, NY — Acting District Attorney Meagan K. Galligan announced that a Sullivan County grand jury has issued an indictment of Joseph J. Peters, 64, of Parksville, for two counts of criminal contempt in the first degree, felonies, five counts of criminal contempt in the second degree and three counts of stalking in the fourth degree, misdemeanors and one count of trespass, a violation. All of the conduct alleged by the indictment relates to Peters’ alleged ongoing offenses against two of his neighbors on Main Street in Parksville.

It is alleged that Peters violated orders of protection issued by the Town of Fallsburg Justice Court which required him to stay away from and refrain from any communication with both of the victims. It is further alleged that Peters repeatedly engaged in conduct which placed the victims in reasonable fear of injury over the period of April 2020 through October 2020. Additionally, it is further alleged that Peters engaged in several specific acts that were prohibited by the orders of protection and unlawfully entered the premises of Cabernet Frank’s restaurant.

Galligan said, “There is a difference between simply not liking your neighbors and engaging in criminal conduct against them. It is alleged that Joseph Peters crossed that line, and I recognize that offenses like those alleged by this indictment carry with them a heavy mental and emotional toll for the victims. If and when proven guilty in court, Peters will be held criminally responsible for that.”

Galligan said that Peters faces up to one to four years in prison if he is convicted of any felony criminal contempt count. Galligan thanked members of Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office for their work on the case.