ITHACA, N.Y. – An Ithaca man was indicted in Tompkins County Court on Thursday morning on multiple charges after injuring two corrections officers last week.
Carmen Dechellis, 57, has been incarcerated since April after punching Tompkins County Judge John C. Rowley in the face following an altercation. According to court records, Dechellis approached Rowley outside a building on Ithaca’s West End.
According to Rowley, Dechellis was ‘distracting and disruptive’ and appeared to be intoxicated. Dechellis then punched Rowley in the face and attempted to stomp on his phone.
Dechellis was initially charged with felony third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and misdemeanors for fourth-degree criminal mischief, third-degree attempted assault, third-degree menacing, and one violation for trespassing. However, a later plea allowed him to plead guilty only to the criminal mischief charge.
While incarcerated at Tompkins County Jail for the incident involving Rowley, Dechellis now faces additional charges after assaulting two corrections officers on Nov. 26.
According to Captain Ray Bunce at the Tompkins County Jail, Dechellis was “uncooperative with our rules and regulations.” Bunce said Dechellis exited his cell and was restrained soon after. Bunce said two corrections officers sustained minor injuries following the incident but did not require hospitalization.
Dechellis was indicted in Tompkins County Court on Thursday on four counts of felony second-degree assault. Further court dates are to be determined.