ROUND TOP — A Round Top man is heading to state prison after pleading guilty to attempted assault.
Joel Couvertier, 42, was sentenced in Greene County Court on April 9 to two to four years in state prison. Couvertier pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted assault, a class D felony, as well as a violation of probation, District Attorney Joseph Stanzione said.
Couvertier’s guilty plea stemmed from a domestic dispute State Police responded to almost two years ago. Couvertier turned himself the day after a May 24, 2022 incident where State Police responded to a report of a domestic dispute on Route 39 in Round Top. When troopers arrived at the scene at about 6:55 p.m. May 24, the suspect fled the area in a black Chevrolet pick up truck, State Police said.
Police suspected Couvertier physically assaulted, choked and prevented the victim from calling 911.
The physical assault occurred in front of three minors and State Police learned there was an active order of protection at the time of the assault prohibiting Couvertier from being with the victim and the children in the residence, police said.
Couvertier turned himself in at the State Police barracks in South Cairo the following day when he was charged with first-degree criminal contempt, a class E felony; and class A misdemeanors, third-degree assault, criminal obstruction of breathing, fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree criminal contempt, and act in a manner to injure a child, state police said.
Couvertier was arraigned in Town of Cairo Court before Judge Joan VanDenburgh and was sent to the Greene County Jail where he was held without bail, but was released and placed on probation.
Couvertier was arrested again Dec. 3, 2023 in Cairo and charged with assault with intent to cause injury to an officer/fireman/EMT/nurse/crossing guard, a class D felony, second-degree obstruction of governmental administration, and criminal possession of a weapon, both class A misdemeanors.
Couvertier sentence will be his fourth time state prison incarceration. His past convictions come from Columbia and Schenectady counties and include charges of criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree robbery, Stanzione said.
He was held in Greene County Jail awaiting transfer to state prison.