Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Preston Wido, 37, of Clifton Park, was indicted for multiple counts of criminal contempt and other related charges, including criminal obstruction of breathing, for allegedly choking the mother of his infant son while holding the child in his arms.
“Domestic violence disputes are traumatic events that have lingering effects on the life of the victim,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office vigorously prosecutes all acts of domestic violence. Victims should not be afraid to come forward.”
According to the investigation, on March 11, 2024, Wido allegedly left two voicemails on the mother of his child’s phone, threatening to kill her. Subsequently, on March 18, 2024, Wido was arrested and arraigned on two counts of aggravated harassment, and a full stay away order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.
Over the next ten days, from March 18 to March 28, 2024, Wido allegedly continued to harass the victim by showing up to her apartment, threatening to physically harm her, and calling her over 1,300 times – all in violation of the court-issued order of protection. While the police were investigating the alleged violations of the order of protection, they were also made aware of an incident that occurred in August 2023, where Wido was allegedly captured on home video surveillance choking the victim with one hand while holding their infant son in the other.
Wido allegedly committed these offenses while he was out on bail for charges he faces in Renssalaer County, NY, where he has been indicted on, amongst other charges, Rape in the First Degree, Strangulation in the Second Degree, Robbery in the Third Degree, and Aggravated Animal Cruelty.
On April 24, 2024, Wido was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei for the following charges:
- Two counts of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, Class E felonies;
- One count of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor;
- One count of Criminal Obstruction of Breathing, a Class A misdemeanor;
- One count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor; and
- Three counts of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, Class A misdemeanors.
Justice Mazzei ordered Wido held on $10,000 cash, $20,000 bond, or $200,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Wido is due back in court on June 18, 2024, and he is being represented by Mike Brown, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Sean Murphy of the Domestic Violence Unit, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Bryan Maldonado of the Suffolk County Police Department’s First Squad.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.