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Carmel Man Injures Two Sergeants During Fight, Putnam Sheriff Says

PUTNAM COUNTY, N.Y. -- A Carmel man injured two Putnam County Sheriff's Department sergeants when he attacked them at the Putnam County Correctional Facility after being asked to leave, according to Sheriff Donald B. Smith.

Two Putnam County Sheriff's sergeants were injured during a fight with John Groissl who refused to leave the jail, the Putnam  County Sheriff's Office said.

Two Putnam County Sheriff's sergeants were injured during a fight with John Groissl who refused to leave the jail, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said.

Photo Credit: Putnam County Sheriff's Office

Sergeants Michael Szabo and Matthew Monroe were injured on Monday, Jan. 9 when they responded to the jail for a report of a man who was refusing to leave the lobby, said Capt. William McNamara.

John A. Groissl, 59, got into the fight with the officers after he had attempted to visit a female inmate who refused to accept the visitation request, and then refused to leave the facility, McNamara said.

Corrections staff had asked Groissl to leave the facility lobby several times, but he refused and continued to disrupt facility operations by his conduct, he added.

"The sergeants repeatedly attempted to persuade the man to leave the premises and warned him that he would be arrested if he did not comply," he said.

When Groissl continued to refuse the sergeants’ orders, he was informed that he was under arrest. When the man continued to refuse to comply, the sergeants attempted to physically place his hands behind his back, and Groissl responded by attempting to strike the sergeants with a closed fist. The sergeants, with the assistance of other officers, took Groissl into custody while he continued to fight them and resist arrest, McNamara said.

Sergeants Monroe and Szabo, and Groissl were all treated at Putnam Hospital Center for injuries sustained in the altercation and were released. Monroe suffered abrasions and pain to both his knees, Szabo suffered an abrasion to his left knee and pain to his left hip, and Groissl suffered an abrasion to his face.

Groissl was charged with felony assault, trespassing, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

He is being held at the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond.

If found guilty of the felony charge, he could face up to seven years in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.

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