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LEWISBORO The four Lewisboro teens accused of spray painting anti-Semitic graffiti on a South Salem residence, as well as vandalizing several postal trucks and road signs, were hit with two more charges both misdemeanors in town court Monday night.
Michael Trapasso and Christopher Grispen, both 17 and residents of South Salem, Daniel Mitchell, 17, from Cross River, and Michael Skalaski, 18, from Goldens Bridge, now face charges of making graffiti, a Class A misdemeanor, and criminal trespass in the third degree, a Class B misdemeanor. Those charges stem from the graffiti that was painted on the postal trucks and road signs. The teens already face a felony charge of first-degree aggravated harassment for allegedly spray painting swastikas and anti-Semitic slurs on the Schecter residence on Elmwood Road.
When the four were first arraigned in town court last month, Judge Susan Simon released them on their own recognizance (ROR) to their parents with some stipulations, which included a 9 p.m. curfew. Heide Mason, the bias unit chief for the Westchester County District Attorneys office who is handling the case, said Skalaski was caught red-handed breaking the curfew when he was given a traffic ticket at 11:30 p.m. Skalaski was in the hospital Monday night being treated for a broken nose and was not in court. Mason said that he would be charged with contempt of court for breaking the curfew and that his ROR status would be revoked but he would likely have to post bail to avoid incarceration.
We will be making a bail application on Mr. Skalaski, Mason said.
Mason said there was additional anecdotal evidence that some of the other suspects broke curfew as well, but said no further action would be taken at this time until police have more information.
We wont rely on the testimony from teenagers, she said. But the cops have been given pictures of all the subjects and have been told that if any are found out beyond 9 p.m., they are to be taken into custody. Frankly, I think its just a matter of time.
Mason said also pointed out that since Mitchells initial arraignment, his Facebook page featured a picture of him posing with an automatic weapon in front of a Confederate flag. She said that while the photo was unsettling, it was not illegal and that it has since been removed from the website.
Judge Simon told the teens she was not happy with their overall behavior since their arrest last month.
I released you on your own recognizance, which was trust on my part, she told them. The curfew is important. If you violate curfew you are violating a court order. I expect you to obey it. I was hoping you guys are better than that. Dont be stupid.
The case has been continued and the suspects are due back in town court on August 8.
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