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Frank "Community Santa" Flowers, a 52-year-old resident of Poughkeepsie, faces escalating legal troubles following his arrest in December 2025. Initially charged with misdemeanors, including assault, criminal obstruction of breathing, and endangering the welfare of a child, at least one charge has been upgraded to a felony after a Dutchess County Grand Jury indictment, as reported by Mid Hudson News.
The charges stem from an incident on December 9, 2025, where Flowers allegedly choked and struck the mother of his youngest child in front of their six-month-old. The case is set to move to Dutchess County Court once paperwork is finalized, with Flowers scheduled to appear in Town of Poughkeepsie Court on January 12, 2026.
Flowers' legal issues extend beyond New York. In 2024, he pleaded guilty to criminal trespass charges in Connecticut related to a domestic violence case. As part of a plea agreement, he received a two-year conditional discharge, requiring him to avoid arrests and domestic violence incidents. Violating this agreement could result in a two-year prison sentence in Connecticut.
Connecticut prosecutor David Shannon is closely monitoring the New York case, stating that they will pursue a violation of Flowers' conditional discharge if he is convicted in New York. Flowers, who has been released on bail and is under electronic monitoring, is known for delivering toys to underprivileged families during the holidays.