Guilty Plea in Criminal Contempt Case

DELHI — David J. Louden., 51, of Sidney, New York, appeared in Delaware County Court on June 17, 2024, and pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Contempt, a Class E Felony.  

The charge stems from events that occurred on December 13, 2023. Officer Daniel Petersen of the Sidney Police Department was dispatched to a call involving a violation of an order of protection. According to the call, the victim was alerted by a child that Mr. Louden, who was barred from contacting either the victim or the child, was outside knocking at the front door. The time was approximately 2:45 a.m. The victim, who is not being named pursuant to office policy, immediately alerted law enforcement. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Louden fled.

On January 11, 2024, Officer Petersen arrested David Louden and charged him with Criminal Contempt in the First Degree.

Sentencing is scheduled to take place on July 15, 2024, in Delhi NY. The maximum sentence that goes with conviction of this charge would be 4 years in state prison. Pursuant to an agreed disposition it is envisioned that Mr. Louden will be placed on probation supervision.

District Attorney Shawn Smith commended Officer Daniel Petersen of Sidney Police Department for his work on this case. DA Smith stated, “Orders of Protection are vital to the protection of some of our most vulnerable citizens. I am proud to say that my office takes violations of these orders very seriously. Due to his actions, Mr. Louden will be a felon and his liberty will be restricted. These orders are not suggestions, and it is a goal of my office to see that each violation of an Order of Protection is vigorously prosecuted.”

Shawn J. Smith 

District Attorney 

Delaware County