The criminal case against Seneca Falls Town Supervisor Frank Schmitter will move forward in Seneca County Court following a hearing in Tyre Town Court.
Schmitter, 62, was arrested by the Seneca Falls Police Department on May 1 and charged with third-degree criminal mischief, a class E felony; official misconduct, a class A misdemeanor; and second-degree harassment, a violation.
The charges stem from an April 30 confrontation between Schmitter and Seneca Falls Town Board member Wendy Crane at the town Municipal Building. Crane later filed a complaint with the police regarding the incident.
Following his arrest, Schmitter was arraigned in Seneca County’s Centralized Arraignment Part (CAP) court, where he entered a not guilty plea and was released.
Because of a potential conflict, the case was transferred from Seneca Falls Town Court to Tyre Town Court and assigned to Town Justice Kathy Jans-Duffy. During last Wednesday’s appearance, Jans-Duffy determined there was sufficient basis for the felony charge to proceed, sending the matter to Seneca County Court for further proceedings.
Wayne County District Attorney Christine Callanan has been appointed as special prosecutor in the case.
Schmitter, a Republican, was elected town supervisor in November 2023 and is serving his third year in office.
