Pawling man arrested for alleged forcible touching in Dutchess County

Ismeal Sipteyul, a 46-year-old man from Pawling, New York, has been arrested and charged with three counts of forcible touching, a Class A misdemeanor. The charges follow an investigation by the New York State Police into allegations that Sipteyul inappropriately touched three adult women without their consent while working as a handyman at an apartment complex in the Town of Dover, Dutchess County.

Sipteyul was arraigned in the Town of Dover Court on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Following his arraignment, he was held at the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center with bail set at $2,500 cash, a $10,000 bond, or a $30,000 partially secured bond. He is scheduled to return to court on October 20, 2026.

New York State Police are requesting that anyone who believes they may have been a victim of similar conduct involving Sipteyul contact investigators.