Sarah Trafton is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media a Greene County public defender is facing felony charges following a serious assault on an unnamed victim that occurred in the village of Athens, according to police. Anthony Pastel, 36, of Catskill, was arrested and charged August 4, by state police following an investigation. The unidentified victim was transported by Catskill Ambulance to Albany Medical Center on an unspecified date. The person is in stable condition with serious injuries, state police Public Information Officer Steven Nevel said. Pastel was charged with second-degree assault, second-degree strangulation and endangering the welfare of a child, as well as driving while intoxicated. Nevel said, “[Pastel] left the scene of the assault, the victim gave a description of the vehicle, Catskill police recognized the vehicle and Pastel was taken into custody.” A child was present at the time of the assault, but was not injured. Pastel has been placed on administrative leave, Greene County Legislature Chairman Patrick Linger said. Linger was unsure if the leave is paid. Pastel was formerly employed by the Columbia County Public Defender’s Office. He was arraigned before Catskill Town Justice William Jacobs and released on $250 cash bail. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.