Hyde Park resident Jacob Bender, 32, was sentenced to between 1⅓ and four years in prison following his April conviction on charges including first-degree criminal contempt and fourth-degree stalking as a hate crime, the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday, May 11.
As previously reported by Daily Voice, a Dutchess County jury found Bender guilty after prosecutors said he repeatedly violated an order of protection involving Rector Meredith Sanderson of St. James Episcopal Church in Hyde Park.
Authorities said the charges stemmed from incidents in November and December 2024. Prosecutors said Bender sent Sanderson emails with the subject line “repent” over several days in November, causing her to fear for her safety.
On Dec. 6, 2024, prosecutors said Bender violated the order of protection again by sending Sanderson an email stating, in substance, that she had no authority to preach the gospel and that she and her congregation would “burn in hell.”
Authorities also said he violated the order once more on Dec. 11 by walking past her residence.
Investigators determined the conduct was motivated by Bender’s opposition to the church’s acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. Bender’s grandparents are congregants at St. James Episcopal Church, the DA's Office added.
The investigation was handled by the Hyde Park Police Department with assistance from the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Unit Chief Brittney Kessel and Senior Assistant District Attorney Victoria Roessling.
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