LAGRANGE – Pleasant Valley Highway Superintendent John Baxter was on trial in LaGrange Justice Court on the charge of attempted unlawful surveillance on Monday. The trial, the result of the discovery of a surveillance camera hidden under his secretary’s desk, could land Baxter in jail for up to one year if he is convicted of the misdemeanor.
On August 1, 2025, after a camera was discovered under the desk of Baxter’s secretary at the highway department. On August 4, 2025, the town requested, and Baxter offered to take a voluntary leave of absence, according to Brooke Youngwirth, the town attorney for labor and employment issues.
John Baxter was subsequently arrested on the felony charge of unlawful surveillance on August 11, 2025, and town officials were notified the following day. The charge was later reduced to misdemeanor attempted unlawful surveillance.
On Monday, Assistant District Attorney Sabrina Acerra gave her opening remarks to the court, saying, “This case is about a secret camera, a betrayal of trust, and a defendant who allowed his sexual obsession to override the boundaries of decency and the law.” Explaining the camera, Acerra said Baxter placed the illegal camera after becoming “increasingly infatuated with his secretary,” and did so “with the camera aimed at her crotch, concealed from view, and positioned to capture images no person is entitled to see without consent.”
A series of text messages from Baxter to his secretary were also presented, indicating Baxter was obsessed with the woman’s body, including messages to her saying “Such a great butt,” and “I just want to touch it and squeeze it.”
Baxter has failed to respond to any requests from Mid-Hudson News seeking comment.
The prosecution and defense are expected to present their closing arguments on Tuesday in LaGrange Justice Court.
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