OBSERVER Staff Report
SHERIDAN - Another demonstration against domestic violence is planned to take place at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Town of Sheridan Court on Thursday before a corrections officer charged with domestic violence returns to court to face domestic violence charges.
On May 8, state troopers from the Fredonia Barracks arrested a state corrections officer after a domestic violence incident the evening of May 6. William B. Prost, 52, of Stone Quarry Road, Fredonia was charged with third-degree assault and criminal obstruction of breathing.
It is alleged Prost struck his live-in girlfriend in the face and covered her mouth and nose with his hand, preventing her from breathing.
Prost was transported to the State Police barracks, processed and then arraigned in the Town of Pomfret.
An order of protection was issued for the victim and he was released on his own recognizance.
Prost returned to the Town of Sheridan Court on May 17 while a protest against domestic violence took place outside the court room.
One of the protest organizers is allegedly one of Prost's prior victims, Velvet Lisa. "Anyone who would like to show their support against domestic violence, please join our protest," Lisa, who is not the alleged victim of recent charges, asked.
On Jan. 7, 2010, Prost was charged with harassment in the City of Dunkirk. Lisa alleges that Prost struck her in the head twice in the City of Dunkirk and left on foot. Lisa said she went to the police who later found Prost at his house.
According to court records, the charge was dismissed in August 2010. According to Lisa, she dropped the charges. "He convinced me he'd lose his job if I didn't drop the case," she said.
Shortly after that case was dismissed, Prost and Lisa had another confrontation. On Aug. 23, 2010, New York State Police Troopers interviewed Lisa who said she and her then-boyfriend, Prost, had a domestic argument on Aug. 20. She stated that during the argument she was locked outside the house and had been banging on the door to get in. It is alleged that when Prost opened the door he pushed her, knocking her down off the deck of the residence. The fall caused contusions to her left arm, buttocks and left leg. Prost was contacted and came to the Fredonia barracks.
A domestic violence report was completed and he was charged with assault and harassment and a verbal no contact order was issued.
During the May protest, Lisa carried a sign with photographs of bruises on her arms. Lisa said the case went through trial but the pictures thrown out due to an issue regarding the time her lawyer gave the picture's to Prost's lawyer. She said her order of protection was sustained, but Prost was not found guilty. "After the pictures were thrown out, it was pretty much 'he said, she said,' so he got away with it," she explained.
Lisa said she no longer carries shame over the incidents. "I'm done with being afraid," Lisa said.
Prost's attorney, John Schober, did not respond to the OBSERVER's request for comment.
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