FELONY ARREST IN THE TOWN OF WEST SPARTA

WEST SPARTA - Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of a Dansville resident on felony and misdemeanor charges following an investigation by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.

On November 11^th, 2026 at approximately 1:20 pm, Sheriff’s Deputy Jessica Tubbs responded to a residence in the Town of West Sparta for the delayed report of a possible violation of an order of protection.  It is alleged that 34-year-old Christopher Ritzenthaler of Dansville had sent threatening messages to the victim while there was an active Order of Protection in place, protecting the victim from him.

Ritzenthaler was arrested by Deputy Tubbs and charged with felony Aggravated Family Offense, misdemeanor Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree and misdemeanor Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree.

Ritzenthaler was transported and turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for arrest processing and pre-arraignment detention.  He was later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part (LC-CAP) at the Livingston County Jail before Town of Leicester Justice Durbin.  The Judge did release Ritzenthaler on his own recognizance, as the offenses do not qualify for bail under the NYS Bail Reform Act.The Livingston County Public Defender’s Office was present and represented Ritzenthaler at the court arraignment for his defense. The Livingston County District Attorney’s Office was notified and also appeared to represent the People.