POUGHKEEPSIE – A 52-year-old man who is commonly referred to as “Santa” in the Poughkeepsie area was after an alleged incident with the mother of his latest child. Frank “Frankie” Flowers spent a few days in the Dutchess County Jail last week before making bail and being placed on electronic monitoring (EM) through the Dutchess County Probation Department.
On Monday, Flowers, with his longtime attorney , appeared at a hearing in the Town of Poughkeepsie Justice Court before Judge Steve Klein to plead to have the electronic monitoring bracelet removed, to allow more freedom for Flowers. Before making it to the courtroom, Flowers was greeted outside by domestic violence survivors and women who have been associated with Flowers, most of whom were holding signs denouncing the defendant’s treatment of women.
“It was important for me to be there to advocate for those that cannot speak for themselves,” said KarissaLee Thompson, who knows the defendant. “Even a small group of us bringing attention to the case of a well known community figure will help to ensure accountability and prevent the abuse from being minimized or ignored due to this individuals public status. It will also empower other survivors by showing that no one is above scrutiny, and that speaking out can lead to awareness, justice and community change.”
O’Connor argued that his client was unable to shovel his driveway or check his mailbox because the electronic monitoring all but confined his client to his house on Park Avenue in the Town of Poughkeepsie. He noted that probation required 48 hours advance notice by Flowers if he wanted to leave the house. One of the probation officers testified that Flowers was aware of the conditions when he signed the electronic monitoring agreement last week. Judge Klein asked probation if the bracelet monitoring system could be adjusted to allow Flowers out of the house, and was told that it was not an option. O’Connor continued railing against the EM, saying that his client plows several driveways when it snows and makes trips to the supply house to pick up salt for ice, and the weather does not allow for 48-hour notices.
O’Connor noted that his client has been arrested and charged “repeatedly”, but a lack of evidence in the cases has resulted in dismissals. In this most recent New York incident, where Flowers has been charged with misdemeanors of assault and obstruction of breathing, along with endangering the welfare of a child, O’Connor says bodycam footage from a police officer shows the alleged victim returning to the house and disconnecting two of the security cameras, upsetting Judge Klein, who said “I have a very hard time understanding why a victim would go into a crime scene and disconnect two cameras,” despite it not being relative to the EM status.
Saying that he was “struggling” with how restrictive EM is, Judge Klein noted that he was required by law to provide the least restrictive means possible,” concerning monitoring. In his decision, Klein ordered the EM ankle bracelet removed from Flowers, reiterating that it was “too restrictive” and ordered Flowers released to the supervision of Dutchess County Probation where he will be required to check in every morning via telephone.
In 2024 in Connecticut, Flowers was charged with multiple felonies after breaking into the home of the mother of one of his children on two occasions. In October 2024, in exchange for a reduced sentence, Flowers pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal trespass in exchange for a two-year conditional discharge. The defense attorney representing Flowers for those cases said the formation of the plea is an admission that the prosecution had enough evidence to proceed with the cases against the defendant.
Violating of the terms of the agreement could put Flowers in Connecticut prison for up to two years. Some of the conditions, according to news in Connecticut, require Flowers to avoid being arrested for two years from the date of sentencing and refrain from any type of domestic violence. .
Flowers is due back in the Town of Poughkeepsie Court on January 12 at 9 a.m.
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