Lake Placid Man Arrested for Violating Protective Order in North Elba Domestic Incident
On July 5, 2025, at approximately 2:06 a.m., New York State Police troopers responded to a report of a physical domestic dispute on Cottonwood Way in North Elba, NY. The incident unfolded at the residence of a victim who was the subject of a full stay-away order against Jonathan M. Sears, a 31-year-old resident of Lake Placid, NY.
Troopers arriving at the scene discovered that Sears had unlawfully entered the victim’s home despite the ongoing protective order. During the disagreement, children were present and witnessed the altercation, intensifying concerns over their safety and well-being. Following the victim’s call to law enforcement, Sears exited the scene; however, he was later located, arrested, and transported to the State Police processing facility at the Ray Brook station.
Sears now faces serious charges including first-degree criminal contempt—a felony that arises when a court order is willfully violated—aggravated family offense, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. In New York, aggravated family offense is typically applied when an individual commits a family-related crime and has previous similar convictions, while charges of endangering the welfare of a child address any actions that place a child’s safety or well-being at risk.
Following his arrest, Sears was arraigned at the Town of North Elba Court and has subsequently been remanded to Essex County Jail. The case highlights not only the legal consequences of breaching protective orders but also the broader community commitment to ensuring the safety of vulnerable individuals, especially children, in domestic violence situations.
Law enforcement efforts in the region, particularly those coordinated by the New York State Police from the Ray Brook station, remain focused on protecting residents and demonstrating that violations of court orders will be met with decisive action. This incident underscores the critical importance of protective orders and the stringent measures in place to defend against domestic violence and abuse.
Readers who may be experiencing domestic violence or know someone in need of help are encouraged to seek assistance immediately. Support is available through the New York State Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906 and additional resources are offered by local advocacy groups.