1 year for ditching mom in the woods

Blossvale man receives maximum sentence for ‘longest misdemeanor case in Madison County history’

ONEIDA>> A Blossvale man will spend less time in jail than he spent in court for abandoning his mother in the woods during the summer of 2014.

At Tomas Zavalidroga’s sentencing on Friday at Oneida City Court, Judge Anthony Eppolito declared a year of jail time, the maximumfor a misdemeanor, after a jury found him guilty of second-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree falsely reporting an incident in June.

The judge described “a very disturbing set of offenses” that “could have easily ended up as a felony” had Zavalidroga’s mother Margaret spent any more time exposed to the elements in the thickly wooded area between Route 5 and Lenox Avenue.

While Madison County Assistant District Attorney Scott Bielicki pushed for separate charges for each misdemeanor, Eppolito invariably declined to impose consecutive punishments.

Zavalidroga spoke briefly at his sentencing, speaking over Eppolito on several occasions before the Oneida City Court Judge had enough, informing Zavalidroga that he was not being granted time to speak in order to re-argue his case.

Zavalidroga did call the trial something “that never should have taken place,” before accusing police of inaccuracies and unfair treatment. Zavalidroga also said the “loving relationship” he maintained with his mother has been “destroyed” as a result of the case.

Eppolito said the case was “unique in many ways,” before adding that it was “the longest misdemeanor case in Madison County history.”

Guilty of second- degree reckless endangerment and third- degree falsely reporting an incident. That was the jury’s verdict after hearing closing arguments in the case Thursday morning. As to why

While Madison County Assistant District Attorney Scott Bielicki pushed for separate charges for each misdemeanor, Eppolito invariably declined to impose consecutive punishments.

Margaret Zavalidroga was left in the woods that weekend in July 2014, Eppolito offered one explanation, saying “she was led there by someone she knew and trusted.”

The judge continued, offering his take on the harsh treatment of then-83-yearold Margaret Zavalidroga.

“Children and the elderly are those who need to be protected the most,” he said.

After the sentencing, Bielicki said he had never been involved in such a lengthy misdemeanor trial, adding that Zavalidroga is “a very unique man” who has a “long-running beef” with the police department, citing civil suits against the police department as well as Zavalidroga’s own statements in a radio interview claiming he was not doing radio interviews because he needed more evidence against police.

Bielicki said the maximum punishment for a misdemeanor is one year.

PHOTOS BY JOHN BREWER — ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Tomas Zavalidroga was sentenced to one year in prison for abandoning his mother in woods for three days during the Summer of 2014.

Tomas Zavalidroga was sentenced to one year in prison for abandoning his mother in woods for three days during the Summer of 2014.