Jail Sentence for Assaulting Officers

DELHI – Jeffrey C. Kaufman, 55, of Downsville, New York, appeared in Delaware County Court on March 11 before the Honorable John L. Hubbard, and was sentenced to three hundred and sixty-four (364) days in jail for each count of Assault in the Third Degree.

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Mr. Kaufman admitted to attempting to assault Officers Keith Gavette of the Colchester Police Department and Officer Kathryn Mitchell of the Walton Village Police Department.

On July 28, 2024, Officer Bryanna Houck of the Colchester Police Department was engaged in an unrelated traffic stop. Jeffrey Kaufman, who lived right next to where the stop was occurring, began to yell obscenities at Officer Houck commenting that she should just let the driver go.  Kaufman aggressively kept trying to interfere with the traffic stop, and Officer Houck called for assistance. Officer Keith Gavette then arrived to assist. Officers Houck and Gavette then placed Kaufman under arrest for Obstruction of Governmental Administration and Disorderly Conduct. While placing Kaufman in the squad car, he began to struggle and cursed at the officers. Upon being placed in the vehicle, Kaufman attempted to kick out the windows claiming that it was too hot in the car. When Officer Gavette answered that if he broke the window, he would face additional charges, Mr. Kaufman spat on him.

Officers Mitchell and Malave of the Walton Police Department arrived, and with Officer Gavette’s assistance, placed a spit hood on Kaufman. During transport to the police station and during the walk in, Kaufman repeatedly attempted to kick Officer Mitchell in her left leg. While being booked, this behavior continued with leg restraints having to be applied to Mr. Kaufman. Upon arrival at the CAP Court for arraignment, Kaufman again became combative with officers and eventually had to be placed in a restraint chair. 

On March 11, 2025, Delaware County Court Judge Hubbard sentenced Kaufman pursuant to the negotiated plea agreement, giving him credit for any time already served. The defendant was sentenced to 364 days in jail for each charge of assault.  The court ordered that these sentences would run concurrently.

DA Smith stated, “I want to thank Officer Keith Gavette, Officer Kathryn Mitchell, Officer Bryanna Houck, Officer Wyatt Malave, Deputy Ethan Berghammer, Senior Investigator Chris Erwin, Investigator David Barnes, and the numerous Corrections Officers who helped bring Jeffrey Kaufman into custody. This arrest involved four agencies and hours of engagement with Mr. Kaufman.”