Sex offender linked to Garza case arraigned

The Orange County sex offender who was the last person seen with missing Brooklyn woman Laura Garza was arraigned Thursday on unrelated charges. Michael Mele, 23, did not respond to questions regarding

News 12 Staff

May 27, 2014, 9:43 PM

Updated 3,621 days ago

Share:

Sex offender linked to Garza case arraigned
The Orange County sex offender who was the last person seen with missing Brooklyn woman Laura Garza was arraigned Thursday on unrelated charges.
Michael Mele, 23, did not respond to questions regarding Garza's disappearance as he was led out of the Clarkstown Court after his arraignment.
The convicted sex offender from Middletown was charged with falsifying business records, public lewdness and harassment.
According to police, Mele went into the Beach Bum Tanning Salon in Nanuet, gave a false name, and while getting a spray tan from a female employee he exposed himself. Police say it happened twice, in August and November of last year.
Mele is also a suspect in the disappearance of Garza, who has been missing since Dec. 3. She was last seen leaving a New York City nightclub in Mele's company. He has not been charged with any crime related to Garza's case.
Police and firefighters have searched Orange and Sullivan counties for months, but found no signs of the missing 25-year-old woman.
The Garza family has tried several times to see Mele in jail, but they say he refuses to meet with them.
Mele's bail was set at $500,000. He is scheduled to be back in court Tuesday.


More from News 12
0:32
Kingston man charged in barbershop stabbing

Kingston man charged in barbershop stabbing

1:30
Chilly temps in the Hudson Valley will warm up as afternoon sunshine rolls in

Chilly temps in the Hudson Valley will warm up as afternoon sunshine rolls in

2:04
Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

1:35
 White Plains community memorializes impactful couple as part of 41st Arbor Day celebration

White Plains community memorializes impactful couple as part of 41st Arbor Day celebration

0:21
Funeral held for Westchester correction officer killed in Scarsdale motorcycle crash

Funeral held for Westchester correction officer killed in Scarsdale motorcycle crash

0:31
Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

0:23
New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

2:16
New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

1:23
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

0:26
Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

0:23
Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

0:21
Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees appoints interim mayor

Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees appoints interim mayor

0:23
Police: 18-year-old facing charges in Walden shooting

Police: 18-year-old facing charges in Walden shooting

0:48
President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:21
Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

0:51
Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

0:47
State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

0:31
New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers

New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers

0:35
Police find evidence in burglary while investigating a domestic dispute in Monroe

Police find evidence in burglary while investigating a domestic dispute in Monroe