October 1, 2026
FROM STEUBEN COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY BROOKS BAKER: After just over two hours of deliberations, a Steuben County Jury returned a verdict of guilty this afternoon – convicting Fredrick C. Valkenburgh, 40, of Bath of four counts including: Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony; Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor; Resisting Arrest, a class A misdemeanor; and Disorderly Conduct, a violation. The proof at trial established that on September 5, 2025 Defendant was walking in the middle of East Morris Street in the Village of Bath – stopping traffic, creating a hazard to himself and drivers. Chief Donald Lewis and Officer Taylor Waite responded to deal with the Defendant. After several requests were made to the Defendant to leave the roadway were met with refusal and escalating resistance the Officers attempted to place the Defendant in custody. He physically resisted that arrest and in the process caused significant physical injury to Officer Waite.
The case was tried by a team of Attorneys from the District Attorney’s Office led by Deputy District Attorney Joan Merry, joined by District Attorney Brooks Baker and Sr. Assistant District Attorney Jake Rude. After trial Baker spoke for the group: “We are obviously pleased with the verdict. Whenever a police officer is injured it becomes an important case for all of us in law enforcement. This trial demonstrated the professionalism and compassion of the members of the Bath Village Police Department – they did everything in their power to keep the Defendant and society safe and avoid an arrest. Valkenburgh just would not let that happen without an arrest – and in the process he injured a police officer. The only reason this event happened was the Defendant’s choice to make it happen. Unfortunately, now both he and the Officer (who was injured) have to deal with the consequences of his choice.”
Defendant was remanded to the Steuben County Jail without bail after the verdict by Supreme Court Justice Thomas Moran who heard the case. He faces up to 7 years in prison when he appears for sentencing on November 24, 2026. The Defendant was represented by a team of attorneys from the Steuben County Public Defender’s Office lead by Sr. APD Travis Barry.
