HUDSON—Defendant Jamel Brandow was convicted by a jury trial in Columbia County Court August 15 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 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; in front of Judge Richard M. Koweek.
Hudson Police arrested Mr. Brandow, May 5, 2019 after a young girl reported to police that she broke free from the defendant who had tied her up, raped her, and threatened her in a State Street home. After the young girl broke free, she ran four blocks to her mother’s workplace where she called the police.
The jurors reached their verdict the afternoon of August 15 after deliberating for two hours.
Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Ryan Carty prosecuted the case.
“The abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust is the worst kind of betrayal. The survivors in this case bravely told the truth, despite the terrible trauma they endured. Their strength helped hold their abuser accountable. Survivors should know that the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office is committed to helping them feel safe and their voices heard,” ADA Carty said in the release.
Mr. Brandow will be sentenced September 22. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison for his conduct.
Attorney Adam Staier represents Mr. Brandow.
Newest Park Police class members sought
ALBANY—The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) is looking for the next class of Park Police Officer Trainees committed to protecting the State Park system’s record 79 million annual visitors.
In 2024 New York State Parks will be celebrating 100 years of providing outstanding recreational and cultural experiences to state residents and visitors from throughout the world. Park Police will play a critical role in the year-long centennial celebration as they continue to serve visitors and offer the safest beaches, trails, golf courses, pools, picnic areas, and entertainment venues in the nation.
Applications for Park Police Officer Trainee positions will be accepted until September 30.
Visit https://parks.ny.gov/park-police/park-police-officers.aspx for more information regarding the application process, agility testing, screening requirements and written exam.
“We are searching for the next group of recruits who have a calling for both state service and a love of the outdoors. Additionally, our New York State Park Police is among the first agencies in the nation committed to the growing movement of 30×30—the initiative to reach 30% of women in recruiting classes by 2030, as we aim to be representative of the entire state. Advancing women in policing is critical to improving public safety,” State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said in a press release.
Park Police work hard every day to protect millions of visitors and utilize a special training to respond to all types of situations including controlling crowds at concert venues, employing drones to search for sharks in the waters off Long Island, conducting search and rescue operations, and patrolling the state’s waterways and snowmobile trails.
This past May, State Park Police Academy graduated 32 new officers who have been since assigned to serve New York’s State Parks and Historic Sites. State Parks maintains a welcoming environment and offers new recruits hands-on training and classroom education in Criminal Procedure Law, Penal Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Park and Recreation Law and criminal investigations. Recruits will also receive training in firearms, first response, snowmobile and ATV operation, emergency vehicle operation, and a wide variety of other law enforcement-related topics and skills. Then, academy graduates reinforce what was learned in the classroom through field training during the first months of their new assignments.
Park Police officers are highly trained specialists dedicated to the New York State Parks’ core values of PRIDE: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence. They provide New York State residents and visitors with safe and enjoyable recreational experiences at State Parks and Historic Sites.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 79.5 million visits in 2022. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518-474-0456. Join New York State Parks in celebrating its centennial throughout 2024, and connect on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the OPRHP Blog.
