Sexual harassment charges against Hudson Valley EMS official dropped due to technicality
The Sullivan County case against former Mamakating Resque Squad EMT Jeff Ashdown was dismissed by Town of Mamakating Court Judge Zachary Kelsen this week on a technicality, in a decision citing the district attorney’s office alleged failure to prosecute in a timely manner.
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Misdemeanor charges have now been dropped for a Hudson Valley EMS official accused of sexually harassing and forcibly touching a co-worker.
The Sullivan County case against former Mamakating Resque Squad EMT Jeff Ashdown was dismissed by Town of Mamakating Court Judge Zachary Kelsen this week on a technicality, in a decision citing the district attorney’s office alleged failure to prosecute in a timely manner.
The victim reached out to News 12 and posted on Facebook that she’s upset about the turn of events. She said Ashdown strangled and forcibly touched her multiple times over the course of nearly two years while on duty in a squad ambulance, at times in front of patients, and says she provided photo evidence when she pressed charges through the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office in February 2024.
“I let this [expletive] go for about a year and a half before I said anything because the first time I did go to my supervisor, I was laughed at and told that’s just how he is,” wrote the victim. “I finally had enough when Jeff became my supervisor and would threaten to fire me if I were to tell anyone.”
Sullivan County District Attorney Brian Conaty says he disagrees with the judge’s decision and that it highlights problems with criminal justice reforms tied to discovery.
“Although I respect his authority, I respectfully disagree with his legal analysis. At this juncture, I am reluctant to comment on the facts of the case as we continue to explore all our legal remedies, including an appeal,” says Conaty. “It’s important to note this decision was based upon a legal technicality and Judge Kelson’s decision did not rule on the merits of the case.”
As News 12 reported last March, Ashdown voluntarily surrendered his state license after the Department of Health found he violated their code of conduct. Ashdown is the president of the Ulster County EMS council and is the assistant chief for the Wallkill Ambulance Corps in Ulster County.
News 12 has reached out to Ashdown and to his attorney for comment but hasn’t heard back.
