EAST FISHKILL – Eighteen-year-old Joseph Portanova, accused of felony assault of a 65-year-old man at a fast food restaurant in Hopewell Junction last week remains in the Dutchess County Jail after a court appearance on Monday night. Portanova along with Richard Salvatore, 18, of Putnam County and an unnamed 15-year-old are accused of beating a man on the night of August 22 at the McDonald’s on Route 376 in Hopewell Junction. The vicious attack was witnessed by employees and patrons of the store.
At a preliminary hearing before East Fishkill Town Justice Brian Rudner on Monday, Portanova was represented by his assigned counsel, Bruce Petito of Poughkeepsie. Dutchess County Senior Assistant District Attorney Scott Johnson argued that there was enough evidence to present the case to the Grand Jury. Portanova is charged with felony assault-injuring a victim 65 or older.
Until the case can be presented to the Grand Jury, Portanova will remain in the Dutchess County Jail on $10,000 cash bail, $20,000 secured bond or $80,000 partially-secured bond with an Electronic Monitoring (EM) alternative. If Portanova is bailed out, he will be required to wear an EM device that is monitored by the Dutchess County Department of Probation.
The other adult defendant, Salvatore, has a preliminary hearing scheduled for September 6, 2023 in the East Fishkill Justice Court. Prosecutor Johnson noted that bail had not been requested for Salvatore because he does not have a criminal history similar to that of Portanova. Because of his Putnam County residency, the Dutchess County Probation Department would be unable to monitor him through an EM device. The case against the teen cannot proceed until an attorney is assigned to represent him.
The 15-year-old will be treated as a Juvenile Offender through the Youth Part of Dutchess County Court due to his age and the “Raise the Age” law in the state.
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