L.I. man left threatening voicemail for Nassau County judge: Police

A Westbury, Long Island man accused of warning a judge "everybody" will be "sorry" if "anything happens" to the man's mother was arrested Tuesday on charges of harassment.

A man who disagreed with a judge's decision in the guardianship case of his miother was arrested this week, charged with Felony harassment.Photo byC.J. Teevan

Nassau County Police say Jayson Woolley, 47, was the caller who left an angry, unlawful message on the chambers office phone of a Mineola Court Judge last month, after the court issued a decision against Woolley.

The incident, described in sworn court filings, began with Woolley calling the judge at around 10:05am on August 23, 2024, and threatening "to come to court where everybody would have to answer to him and that they better get ready for him and get all the security guards ready to stop him."

Investigators say Woolley's voicemail tells the judge "he's down there and you can take that as a threat."

Police note that Woolley is a party in a "guardianship" case involving his mother. The case is a public record.

Under New York law, harassing a judge can be charged as a Misdemeanor or a Felony.Photo byQuino AlonUnsplash

The description of the ominous message says ends: "and you can take that as a threat!"

Woolley, who told court officials that he lives on West Carl Avenue in Westbury, was later identified by the judge when he was recognized from "prior interactions", according to police.

Woolley was arraigned Tuesday, September 4, 2024, before Judge Ignatius Muscarella in the District Court in Hempstead. He pleaded "Not Guilty" to a single charge of Aggravated Harassment of a Judge under N.Y. Penal Law 240.33 02. That charge is a Felony.

The court assigned an attorney with the Legal Aid Society to represent the accused. He received a conditional release from Judge Muscarella and is scheduled to appear in a Mineola courtroom on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

An employee arrives with coffee at the West Wing courthouse in Mineola.Photo byC.J. Teevan