A low-profile Republican major on Lengthy Island erupted in scandal lower than 24 hours earlier than polls opened when the boyfriend of the incumbent’s daughter was arrested for terrorizing his political rival in a string of weird midnight visits, in response to police.
Joshua Smith — the 47-year-old boyfriend of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim’s daughter Kellie Ann, in response to his Fb — was arrested Monday night time and charged with stalking Wehrheim’s challenger within the election, Suffolk Legislator Rob Trotta.
For 3 straight nights starting on June 16, Smith allegedly pulled into Trotta’s driveway late at night time, blasting his brights and loudly revving his engine in a string of back-to-back incidents, Suffolk County police and the legislator mentioned.
“One night time I’m in mattress and abruptly I hear this loud revving, virtually like thunder,” Trotta advised The Publish concerning the first night time. “I’m going to the window, and I can barely see something till they drove away.”
He mentioned Smith would pull as much as his driveway late at night time in an ’89 Chevrolet pick-up truck — which cops confirmed is his automobile — and on some events, obtained out of his automotive to deface his political indicators, slicing them up and spray portray others.
Trotta mentioned the harassment began simply days after the killing of two state legislators in Minnesota — leaving the county lawmaker fearing this might result in the same scenario.
“I used to be extra apprehensive concerning the security of my spouse and household greater than something,” Trotta advised The Publish concerning the harassment marketing campaign.
After a second consecutive night time of disturbances, Trotta contacted Suffolk police, who put in a discreet license plate reader in his driveway.
The very subsequent night time, Smith allegedly returned — and the reader flagged his plate, resulting in officers monitoring him down shortly afterward, in response to the native legislator.
Nonetheless, Smith wasn’t arrested and charged till the next Monday, after police carried out a full investigation.
His arrest comes simply sooner or later earlier than the polls have been set to open in a major that will determine the Republican candidate on the poll for Smithtown Supervisor. Trotta is difficult Wehrheim for the seat he’s held for over seven years.
Earlier than the arrest, Wehrheim’s camp denied any allegations that Smith was concerned in any wrongdoing and denounced political harassment, however mentioned the marketing campaign was targeted on highlighting the supervisor’s file — not partaking in “distractions.”
“Ed Wehrheim’s marketing campaign has been targeted on his excellent file of delivering on guarantees remodeled his final 7 and a half years in workplace as Supervisor,” a spokesperson mentioned.
Wehrheim’s marketing campaign didn’t reply to a request for an up to date remark after Smith’s arrest.
