VALLEY STREAM, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — Authorities have arrested a Long Island couple accused of racially harassing their next door neighbor for years.
The alleged victim, Jennifer McLeggan, who is African-American, said the harassment began when she first moved into her home in Valley Stream in April 2017.
The single mother of a 2-year-old girl said it first started when her neighbor, who is white, started calling the village on her for various violations, like her lawn and fence.
From there, she said the situation escalated.
Prosecutors say 57-year-old John McEneaney shot pellet guns repeatedly across the victim's lawn, from April 2017 until July 2020, striking a nearby street sign at least 20 times.
"Ms. McLeggan said that she has been fearful that she or her young daughter would be hit by a pellet, at least four of which were found on her lawn," Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said.
One night in late May, prosecutors said McLeggan, who is a registered nurse, came home from working an overnight shift to find McEneaney's girlfriend, identified as 53-year-old Mindy Canarick, throwing dog feces on her lawn.
McLeggan claims dead squirrels were also thrown in her yard.
Last month, McLeggan detailed the alleged harassment in a large sign that covered the length of her front storm door. She posted the sign saying she fears for her life and the safety of her 2-year-old daughter.
"My neighbors have been racially harassing me since I purchased my home. I took video footage to court and won a $5,000 judgment from my videos. They have thrown human feces on my property and it was recorded. They are now planting dead squirrels on my property and have told me to go back to where I came from. They have their friends come spit on my property and it was recorded. A blow torch was taken to my home at 3 a.m." the sign read. "They have said that I can be 'erased.' Their friends also threatened to get rid of me and my cameras. They walk around in the back with guns and it was recorded. The police have said I need to be harmed for them to make an arrest. I live in fear for my life at home. You will hear prayers coming from my home. I apologize for the noise."
McEneaney is charged with criminal mischief in the fourth degree and harassment in the first degree. Canarick is charged with criminal tampering in the third degree. "The sign on Jennifer McLeggan's door broke my heart and rallied a community to her aid. It also moved my office to investigate this matter because nobody should have to live in fear of harassment from their neighbors," Singas said. "Today, following a comprehensive review, investigators from my office arrested and charged these defendants because of a pattern of intolerable conduct that cannot be left unchecked. I hope that this prosecution, and the order of protection issued by Judge Prager today, afford Ms. McLeggan and her daughter the security they deserve, and I am grateful to the advocates and leaders who collaborated with our office throughout this investigation."
McEneaney and Canarick pleaded not guilty and were released on their own recognizance. They are due back in court on Oct. 9.
The couple says they are not racist and call the charges absolutely ridiculous, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.