POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday that Frank Flowers, 52, was arraigned in Dutchess County Court on an Indictment returned by the Dutchess County Grand Jury. The Dutchess County Grand Jury had returned a four-count Indictment charging Mr. Flowers with one count of Strangulation in the Second Degree, a Class D Violent Felony, one count of Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation, one count of Assault in the Third Degree, and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, all Class A Misdemeanors.
District Attorney 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.”
The incident charged in the Indictment occurred on the evening of December 9, 2025, in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Mr. Flowers is alleged to have applied pressure on the throat or neck of another individual by placing his hand on their neck and squeezing. This caused stupor as well as physical injury, including bruising and soreness. Additionally, it is alleged that Mr. Flowers intentionally caused physical injury to the same individual by striking them with his hand and kicking them with his feet, causing bruising, cuts and substantial pain. It is further alleged that the incident occurred in front of a child less than one year old.
The case was investigated by the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department and is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph Gruner, with the Special Victims Unit. ADA Gruner requested bail be set bail in the amount of $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, and $500,000 partially secured bond with electronic monitoring if posted. Judge Segal presided over the case and set bail in the amount of $10,000 cash, $25,000 bond, and $100,000 partially secured bond with reporting to the supervision of probation. Mr. Flowers is set to return to court on February 17, 2026.
As with any criminal case, the charges described above are merely accusations, and Mr. Flowers is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
