Grand Jury Hands Down 4-Count Felony Indictment In Flowers Domestic Violence Case: DA

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — The District Attorney's Office announced today that 52-year-old Frank Flowers, was arraigned on a multi-count felony indictment returned by a Dutchess County grand jury.

The grand jury had returned a four-count indictment charging Flowers with one count of felony second-degree strangulation, one misdemeanor count of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, one misdemeanor count of third-degree assault, and one misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child.

"Domestic violence is among the most dangerous and corrosive crimes we confront," District Attorney Parisi said. "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 Dec. 9, in the Town of
Poughkeepsie. Flowers is accused of applying pressure on the throat or neck of another person by
placing his hand on their neck and squeezing. This caused stupor as well as physical injury, including
bruising and soreness, according to prosecutors. Flowers is also accused of intentionally causing physical injury to the same woman by striking her with his hand and kicking her with his feet, causing bruising, cuts and substantial pain.

Prosecutors say the violence happened in front of the couple's child who was less than 1 year old at the time.

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.

According to the Torrington Register Citizen, Flowers was previously charged with felonies in Connecticut. He entered guilty pleas to charges related to a domestic violence case involving the mother of one of his children in 2024, according to the newspaper.

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.

Flowers is set to return to court on Feb. 17.