Chairman says reopening guidance lacking

By DIANE VALDEN

HUDSON—City of Hudson Police arrested Michelle L. Moskaluk, 34, of Hudson for: first degree robbery with a dangerous instrument, a class B felony; third degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D felony and second degree menacing, a class A misdemeanor, October 5.

On that day at 6:02 p.m., police received a call from a local business on the 200 block of Warren Street. The caller reported Ms. Moskaluk was outside on the street allegedly chasing and attacking people with a weapon that appeared to be a broom or a stick.

Officer Evan Foutch responded immediately in the area of the call, where he witnessed Ms. Moskaluk allegedly chasing a disabled elderly female with what appeared to be a large stick. He then observed Ms. Moskaluk allegedly swinging that stick at the elderly female several times, according to a Hudson Police press release. Ms. Moskaluk allegedly fled the area upon observing police presence.

The female victim reported to police Ms. Moskaluk allegedly attacked her and pushed her to the ground.

Ms. Moskaluk then allegedly stole $100 from the victim’s purse and fled the scene. The female victim declined medical treatment at the time of the incident.

HPD Patrols were able to locate Ms. Moskaluk a short time later in Seventh Street Park. She was arrested and taken to HPD for processing and arraignment.

Arraigned in Hudson City Court before Judge John Connor. Ms. Moskaluk was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail / $10,000 bond or $20,000 partially secured bond. She is scheduled to return to court at a later date.

A press release from Chief Mishanda Franklin says that her department “recognizes that Ms. Moskaluk is a troubled individual in need of assistance. We urge the community to use caution if approached by her. Her attacks are usually unprovoked and unpredictable, and after she has solicited for money or drugs.

“During the past six months, Ms. Moskaluk has been arrested by the Hudson Police Department nine different times on multiple criminal charges; these do not include several non-custodial arrests and offenses that occurred during the same time frame or any other police agency arrests.”

The release goes on to list the following charges: April 24, torturing an animal, third degree menacing and resisting arrest, all class A misdemeanors; April 25, 2023, third degree criminal trespass and resisting arrest, class A misdemeanors; April 25, tampering with physical evidence, a class E felony,seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor; May 22, third degree attempted assault, third degree criminal trespass and resisting arrest, all class A misdemeanors; August 21, third degree criminal trespass, class A misdemeanor; August 22, third degree criminal trespass, class A misdemeanor; August 22, seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, class A misdemeanor; September 7, second degree reckless endangerment, a class A misdemeanor.

To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com

Sexual predator gets 25 to life in prison

HUDSON—Defendant Jamel Brandow was sentenced October 6 in Columbia County Court on his convictions for sexually abusing two children, according to a press release from the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office.

A jury found Mr. Brandow, 40, of Hudson guilty August 16 of predatory sexual assault against a child, a class A-II felony; first degree rape, a class B felony; first degree unlawful imprisonment, a class E felony; and two counts of endangering the welfare a child, a class A misdemeanor, before County Judge Richard M. Koweek. The jurors reached their verdict after two hours of deliberations.

Judge Koweek sentenced Mr. Brandow to 25 years to life in prison on the predatory sexual assault charges. The rape charge was subsumed by the predatory sexual assault charge. He received 1 1/3 to 4 years on the unlawful imprisonment charge; and 364 days on the two counts of endangering the welfare of a child charge. All sentences will run concurrently.

Hudson police arrested Mr. Brandow May 5, 2019 after a young girl reported to police that she broke free after the defendant had tied her up, raped her, and threatened her in a State Street home. She then ran four blocks to her mother’s workplace where she called the police.

The Hudson Police Department investigated the case with assistance from Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Ryan Carty, the Columbia County Child Protective Division, the Child Advocacy Center (CAC), and the State Police.

“This is was an extremely disturbing case. Supervisors, officers, detectives, the District Attorney’s office, social workers and medical professionals all made significant contributions to ensure an arrest and successful prosecution in this matter. My focus today is on these two victims, for their bravery and recovery in the future. They showed unbelievable courage in the face of the trauma they endured,” DCADA Carty said in a press release.

Judge Koweek also issued orders of protections on behalf of the victims, effective until 2056.