GREENFIELD, NY — A 54-year-old man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly sending threatening text messages that included a photo of a semi-automatic rifle.
Gerald L. Ovitt Jr., of Greenfield, was arrested Sunday following a harassment complaint on Medbury Road.
The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call at 12:29 p.m.
Ovitt allegedly sent text messages to an acquaintance threatening to kill them and included a picture of an apparent semi-automatic rifle.
Deputies attempted to arrest Ovitt at his residence, where he allegedly physically resisted arrest.
Investigation revealed Ovitt was prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.
A court-ordered search of Ovitt’s residence and property located the rifle in question along with other illegal items.
Ovitt was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd degree, a class C felony.
He also faces four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree, class D felonies.
Additional charges include aggravated harassment in the 2nd degree, obstructing governmental administration in the 2nd degree, criminal contempt in the 2nd degree and resisting arrest, all class A misdemeanors.
Ovitt is accused of possessing a loaded firearm and possessing a firearm after having previously been convicted of a crime.
He is also charged with possessing an assault weapon and two large-capacity ammunition feeding devices.
Ovitt was arraigned before Judge Michael Ginley in Greenfield Town Court.
He was remanded to the Saratoga County Jail pending further proceedings.
