COLCHESTER, NY — Police arrested a man Jan. 9 after he allegedly sent threatening text messages and refused to leave his home during an hours-long standoff.
James A. Amato, 50, of Downsville, was charged with aggravated harassment in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor.
Police received a complaint that someone was texting harassing threats of violence against another person.
Officers identified Amato as the individual sending the text messages in which he implied he was going to cause serious physical harm or death to another person.
Officers were informed that Amato might be in possession of a firearm and did not appear to be in a safe mental state.
Officers from the Colchester Police Department and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office went to Amato’s residence in an attempt to take him into custody.
After several attempts to contact Amato and get him to exit his residence, he refused to come out.
Officers closed down Linsley Avenue and notified Downsville Central School of police activity in the area.
Colchester Police submitted for an Extreme Risk Protection Order search warrant to Amato’s residence, which was granted.
With assistance from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and the Village of Walton Police Department, officers conducted the search warrant on Amato’s residence.
Amato was located inside the residence and taken into custody.
He was first transported for a mental health evaluation and then taken to the Delaware County Correctional Facility to await arraignment at the County Central Arraignment Court.
An order of protection was to be put into place.
