POUGHKEEPSIE – After walking past a morning to be arraigned on a felony strangulation charge. Originally charged with the misdemeanors of assault, criminal obstruction of breathing, and endangering the welfare of a child following a December 2025 domestic incident near his residence on Park Avenue in the Town of Poughkeepsie, a grand jury heard evidence and added the felony strangulation charge, which carries a prison sentence of two-to-seven years in prison if convicted. The victim in this most recent incident is the mother of his youngest child.
Flowers, through his longtime attorney, Joe O’Connor, entered a plea of not guilty before Dutchess County Court Judge Jessica Segal.
After hearing a bail request from Senior Assistant District Attorney Joe Gruner, who sought bail of $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, or $500,000 partially-secured bond with electronic monitoring if posted, Judge Segal requested O’Connor provide evidence that Flowers is not a flight risk. while noting that he has an active warrant out of Connecticut, presumably tied to his previous incidents of domestic violence in that state, with another mother of one of his children. O’Connor argued that Flowers has appeared in court every time he has been scheduled over the 20 years that O’Connor has represented him. He also argued that Flowers has no ties to Connecticut, other than it being the state of residence of the mother of one of his kids. The attorney also questioned the validity of the new charge, saying the latest victim sent Flowers two emails. One, he claims, the victim says she was intoxicated and the second, the victim allegedly states she felt “pressured” to proceed with the prosecution.
Judge Segal then set bail in the amount of $10,000 cash, $25,000 bond, or $100,000 partially secured-bond, and if he makes bail, he is to report to the Dutchess County Probation Department one time per week, which is
Indicating the case would proceed, District Attorney Anthony Parisi stated, “Domestic violence is among the most dangerous and corrosive crimes we confront. It inflicts profound harm on the victim and sends shockwaves through families and neighborhoods alike. When violence occurs behind closed doors, it is no less serious, and often more dangerous. My office takes these allegations extremely seriously and will act decisively to protect victims, promote accountability, and safeguard the integrity of our community.”
Flowers is due back in court on February 17, 2026.
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