Daryl T. Anthony, the man dubbed the Cazenovia “exercise stalker,” has pleaded guilty in town court to one count of criminal nuisance in the second degree and will be spending time in jail and on probation for his actions stalking women as they exercised on the streets of Cazenovia last summer and fall.
Anthony, who appeared before Town Justice Timothy Moore on Wednesday, March 5, accepted a plea deal with the Madison County District Attorney’s Office in which he will receive 60 days in jail on a split sentence and three years of probation. He also waived his right to appeal.
Although Anthony was convicted at the March 5 hearing, he will not be sentenced until a pre-sentencing report has been completed. He is scheduled to return to town court for sentencing on May 21.
“The case isn’t done yet. Obviously we’re disturbed by his behavior and want him monitored for as long as we can,” said Assistant District Attorney Robert A. Mascari. “People may say, ‘How come only this much jail time?’ It’s because it is the most jail we can give and still have him monitored. It would not serve the public interest to have him go to jail and get out without treatment or supervision. I think it’s appropriate for his position, given the proof we have, trying to stop somebody who we fear was escalating. Thank god there was nobody hurt physically as yet.”
Anthony was arrested Dec. 10 on one charge of criminal nuisance in the second degree, a class B misdemeanor, the result of him following approximately 10 adult women while they exercised in the town of Cazenovia on West Lake, East Lake, Chard, Ridge and Lincklaen roads between June and October of 2013. During the incidents, he drove his orange 2008 Hyundai Accent with the rear hatch open in order to obscure his rear license plate, and also performed a lewd act while he followed the women in his car.
Anthony was arraigned in Cazenovia Village Court on Dec. 10, during which he was appointed a public defender and ordered that he undergo a mental competency exam. He was ordered held in Madison County Jail and was released on bail a few days after his arrest. Orders or protection were issued for four of the women he stalked. He returned to town court on Dec. 18, but his mental competency exams had not yet occurred, so his case was adjourned until March 5.
During the March 5 hearing, Moore said that the results of Anthony’s two competency exams indicated he was able to stand trial and enter his plea in the case against him.
Anthony pleaded guilty and, upon questioning from Moore, admitted to following women in his car with his trunk open on Aug. 2 and Oct. 10, 2013. He also waived his right to an appeal in the case.
The 60 days’ split sentence of jail time in the plea agreement means that Anthony will be able to keep his job working weekends part-time at Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel while he completes his jail time on weekdays. The orders of protection against Anthony by four of the women he stalked remain in force. If he violates his probation or the orders of protection, the plea deal will be nullified and he will go to jail.
Anthony said during the hearing that since he was released from jail on Dec. 13, “I’ve been doing good. I’m still doing good. I’ve been staying out of trouble.”
Moore said that he was glad to hear it. “Stay out of trouble, or all bets are off in my opinion,” he said.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].
