Daniel DeGroat Charged

Daniel DeGroat, 30, of Middletown, NY, has been charged with mailing threatening communications to a state official and a federal judge. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, and carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

According to the indictment, in November 2020, DeGroat mailed threatening communications to the Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and a federal judge. The indictment is the result of an investigation by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; and the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that the charges against DeGroat are serious and will be pursued vigorously. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation into DeGroat’s activities was thorough and involved multiple agencies. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service all played a role in gathering evidence and building the case against DeGroat.

The charges against DeGroat are a reminder that threatening communications will not be tolerated. The justice system takes these types of threats seriously and will pursue those who make them. The case against DeGroat will now move forward, and he will have the opportunity to defend himself against the charges.

For more information about the case, contact Barbara Burns at (716) 843-5817 or fax (716) 551-3051. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, and the investigation was conducted by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

The maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine reflects the seriousness of the charges against DeGroat. The justice system will continue to pursue those who threaten state officials and federal judges, and will work to ensure that those who are found guilty are held accountable for their actions.