CATSKILL – Anthony Pastel, 37, a resident of Freehold, was arrested by the New York State Police on Wednesday and charged with attempted murder and assault. Both charges are felonies.
Pastel, a former Greene County Public Defender, was arraigned on the charges after a Greene County grand jury recommended them to District Attorney Joseph Stanzione. Pastel was sent to jail for a brief period until a $25,000 bail was posted, allowing him to be released.
Pastel was arrested in August following an alleged assault against another adult while a child was present. State Police apprehended him in his vehicle after he fled the scene. At the time, Pastel was charged with the felonies of assault and strangulation along with the misdemeanors of DWI and endangering the welfare of a child.
Pastel posted $250 bail for the August charges and was released. At the time, he was placed on a leave of absence by the Greene County Public Defender’s office. Sources tell Mid Hudson News that Pastel is no longer employed by Greene County.
