Newark Man Charged With Stalking, Other Charges After Domestic Investigation

A Newark man was arrested following an investigation into an alleged domestic incident that took place over several weeks in March, according to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.

Jerard I. Hughson, 64, of W. Sherman Avenue in Newark, was taken into custody on Thursday after authorities looked into reports of ongoing contact with his wife, despite a court-issued Stay Away Order of Protection. The order, issued by Galen Town Court, prohibited him from making contact with her.

Investigators allege that Hughson used his 21-year-old son to relay messages to his wife in violation of the protective order. He is also accused of leaving handwritten letters on her vehicle while she was volunteering at a local fire department.

Authorities stated that the alleged actions began on March 4 and continued until March 13, when law enforcement was contacted. Hughson was taken to the Wayne County Jail and held for Centralized Arraignment Processing.

He faces charges including stalking in the fourth degree, harassment in the second degree, and criminal contempt in the second degree.