A former employee of Arlington High School in LaGrange, New York, appeared in court on Tuesday, June 11, 2025, to answer serious allegations stemming from inappropriate conduct involving underage students. The defendant, 68-year-old Robert “A/V Bob” Siniscalchi, entered a plea of not guilty to charges that include forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child.
Charges and Investigation
Siniscalchi is facing a total of six misdemeanor charges:
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Three counts of forcible touching
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Three counts of endangering the welfare of a child
The charges are the result of a month-long investigation led by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, following complaints made by three underage female students. According to prosecutors, the victims provided detailed statements to investigators, which served as the primary basis for the criminal charges.
Arrest and Administrative Leave
Siniscalchi was arrested on June 3, 2025, and released on appearance tickets pending Tuesday’s arraignment. At the time of his arrest, he was placed on administrative leave by the Arlington Central School District. Shortly thereafter, Siniscalchi officially resigned from his position with the district. His role at the high school was reportedly related to audio/visual technical support, which earned him the nickname “A/V Bob.”
Court Proceedings and Bail Request
The arraignment was held at LaGrange Justice Court, where Judge Stephen O’Hare presided over the hearing. Brittney Kessel, a prosecutor with the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit, requested that Siniscalchi be remanded to Dutchess County Jail with bail set at:
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$5,000 in cash
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$10,000 in bond
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$20,000 in partially-secured bond
Kessel argued that given the nature of the charges and the involvement of minors, appropriate custody measures were necessary to protect the victims and maintain the integrity of the case.
Defense Response
Siniscalchi’s attorney, Benjamin Greenwald of Middletown, contested both the charges and the request for bail. He criticized the victim statements, describing them as “completely inconsistent” and “lacking specificity”, particularly noting that none of the statements included specific dates or clear timelines. Greenwald also emphasized Siniscalchi’s longstanding residence in Dutchess County since 1978 and argued that his client had complied with the legal process thus far, including voluntarily appearing in court as instructed.
“There’s no reason to think he won’t reappear in court,” Greenwald said, referring to the defendant’s consistent cooperation. He further labeled the bail request as “punitive” and expressed confidence that “this case will be dismissed” once the facts are fully presented.
Protective Orders and Next Steps
Judge O’Hare granted three full orders of protection requested by the prosecution, each pertaining to one of the victims involved in the case. Following the hearing, Siniscalchi was released to the custody of Dutchess County Probation with supervision conditions imposed.
The case is scheduled to return to court on July 1, 2025, for further proceedings.
Community Reaction and Implications
The allegations have caused concern within the Arlington Central School District community, where Siniscalchi had been a familiar presence for years. School officials have not released further comments beyond confirming that he is no longer employed by the district.
The case also highlights the sensitivity and seriousness with which law enforcement and the court system handle allegations involving inappropriate conduct with minors, particularly in educational settings.
As the investigation and legal proceedings continue, all parties remain bound by the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The developments in this case will be closely watched, especially as more details emerge during the July court appearance.
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