Pearl River Man Convicted For Violating Court Orders

A Pearl River man accused of repeatedly violating orders to stay away from family members has been convicted by a Rockland County jury on contempt, trespassing and resisting arrest charges.

James Vines, 49, of 139 Bogart Ave., Pearl River, has been ordered held in the Rockland County Correctional Facility in New City until his sentencing in Rockland County Court in New City on Dec. 12. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said Vines faces up to two years in for his convictions on one count of second-degree criminal trespass, one count of resisting arrest, and one count of second-degree criminal contempt.

Vines' trial began on Sept. 22. Jurors deciding the case in the courtroom of Rockland County Court Judge Charles Apotheker returned a guilty verdict following a half-day of deliberations.

Zugibe said Vines currently has more than 30 open charges in Rockland County, ranging from harassment to disorderly conduct, involving 15 people who filed complaints against him.

Vines was arrested May 4, 2010 for trespassing at the home of his father on Sickletown Road in West Nyack. The arrest came two days after Clarkstown police advised the Vines that he was not welcome at the home, and would face arrest if he was found there.

At the time, Vines’ sister had power of attorney over their father, and had notified authorities that her brother was unwelcome. When he was arrested, Vines struggled with Clarkstown officers, who used a Taser to subdue him.

Following the incident, Vines’ sister obtained an order of protection for herself and her father. During the summer of 2010, Zugibe said Vines violated the order of protection on several occasions, including one incident in which he blocked his sister from leaving a Clarkstown gas station with his car, leading to traffic delays on New Hempstead Road in New City.

Vines was arrested and charged with violating the order of protection twice during the summer of 2010.