PLEASANT VALLEY – A 22-year-old volunteer Lieutenant with the Pleasant Valley Fire Company has been arrested by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and charged with the felony of criminal sexual act for allegedly engaging in illegal sexual conduct with someone under the age of 15.
According to sheriff’s officials, the arrest is the result of a month-long investigation into allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct by Chandler Stolarski. Detectives arrested him on March 2 for the incident that is said to have occurred in 2020.
Stolarski was processed on Tuesday and arraigned in the Town of Milan Justice Court. He was released on a $7,000 cash bail which was posted at the arraignment.
The Pleasant Valley Fire District Board of Commissioners told Mid Hudson News that they are aware of the arrest. “To the best of our knowledge, the acts did not occur while Stolarski was acting in the capacity of a firefighter/EMT.” They added, “Mr. Stolarski has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately until his case is adjudicated.” The district has indicated that they will cooperate with the law enforcement investigation.
Kenneth Wallace, a Lieutenant with the Pleasant Valley Fire District EMS division took to social media to address the incident by chastising the media. Wallace attacked Mid Hudson News for reporting Stolarski’s association with the department, implying that it wasn’t relevant. Referring to the reporter as a piece of fecal matter, Wallace said “He (the reporter) could care less what it does to the reputation pf the rest of the department – what a piece of sh!t.” When asked if he denounced Stolarski’s alleged crimes, Wallace refused to respond. Beekman firefighter Leo J. Dibono also criticized the media’s account, calling it “bad press” furthered by saying “Reason why the media is terrible.” Dibono, like Wallace, also failed to respond to media requests to elaborate on his social media comments.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone who has information on this case or similar incidents involving Stolarski should contact Detective Sistarenik at 845-486-3833 or via email at bsistarenik@dutchessny.gov. Information can also be provided via the sheriff’s office tipline at 845-605-CLUE (2583) or dcsotips@gmail.com, and all information will be kept confidential.
