Newburgh resident Nicholas Gemma, 74, was convicted on Thursday, June 18, of fourth-degree criminal mischief, the Orange County District Attorney's Office announced on Monday, June 22.
According to the DA's Office, the incident leading to Gemma's conviction happened on Dec. 13, 2025, when Town of Newburgh Police officers responded to a residence regarding a damaged septic pipe.
The victim told police that he watched surveillance video of Gemma, his neighbor, going on his property and cutting the septic pipe on the rear of his house with a saw.
When the victim came home from work, he was not able to use the toilet, sink, or shower as a result of the damage, prosecutors added.
The DA's Office said this was at least the third time Gemma had cut the pipe, which resulted from a dispute over purported bad odors.
During Gemma's trial, prosecutors cited evidence that the Orange County Department of Health found no violations of New York or Orange County sanitary codes when they inspected the property.
Gemma is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 15.
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