Dear Mr. Brittenham and Ms. Summers, 

I am responding to your letter of February 5, 2024, in which you express several concerns related to the recent charges filed against Mr. Wade St. Germain and Mr. R.J. Baker in the Town of Liberty Justice Court. 

The charges in question involved an alleged violation of a court order and the alleged unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image. 

While I understand that you may find these two charges that are found in the New York State Penal Law to be “absurd,” they are nonetheless valid laws that have been passed by the state legislature. Under the New York State Criminal Procedure law, the deputy sheriffs involved in this investigation had “probable cause” to file these charges. Ultimately, the district attorney, at his discretion, exercised his authority to dismiss the charges in the “interest of justice.” 

Your assertion that the sheriff’s office is not welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community or somehow displays “homophobia” is quite amusing. The sheriff’s office under Sheriff Michael Schiff’s tenure has a solid record of outreach and engagement with the LGBTQ+ community. The sheriff and his staff have spent countless hours over the years working with the community on local issues, public events as well as the investigation and prevention of crimes and violence. 

Furthermore, the sheriff’s office not only employs members of the LGBTQ+ community, but has promoted members through the ranks to leadership positions within the organization. We have reached out to our friends and neighbors in the community and they agree that the allegations outlined in your letter are baseless, without merit and appear to be intentionally divisive given the circumstances. 

Over the past several years the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office has investigated numerous criminal complaints made by Mr. St. Germain and Mr. Baker against their next-door neighbors. These investigations have been conducted without any hesitation or bias. Where appropriate, arrests have been made. The defendants in these cases have been prosecuted and in certain instances have even served jail time. 

What is important to remember is that being a victim in one case does not give one immunity from prosecution in another. When the sheriff’s office receives a complaint from a member of the public, the matter will be investigated and the necessary action will be taken. The law must be followed and applied equally. 

Thank you for taking the time to contact the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. 

Eric Chaboty, Undersheriff
Office of the Sullivan County Sheriff
Monticello, NY