WHITE PLAINS, NY (February 18, 2026) — Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that a father and son from New Rochelle have been charged in a 19-count indictment alleging repeated menacing of the father’s partner and a neighbor, including with a loaded gun and a machete.
Donald Thomas, 47, and Sincere Thomas, 25, were arraigned Tuesday morning before Judge Susan Capeci, presiding judge of the Integrated Domestic Violence Part. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
According to the indictment, Donald Thomas is charged with five counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, one count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, two counts of Menacing in the Second Degree, one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, one count of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, one count of Assault in the Third Degree and one count of Harassment in the Second Degree.
Sincere Thomas is charged with four counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, one count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, one count of Menacing in the Second Degree, one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and one count of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree.
Prosecutors asked Judge Capeci to raise the bail previously set for Donald Thomas and to set cash bail for Sincere Thomas, who had been released on his own recognizance. The judge maintained the prior bail amount for Donald Thomas and continued Sincere Thomas’ release on recognizance.
The defendants are scheduled to return to court March 17.
As outlined to the court during a bail application and in charging documents, prosecutors allege that on Jan. 13, after a dispute with a neighbor, Donald Thomas punched his partner in the face and pulled a pocket knife on the neighbor. He is further accused of attempting to slash the neighbor with a machete.
After the neighbor retreated to his apartment, Donald Thomas allegedly enlisted his son to assist with the menacing. Prosecutors allege Donald Thomas pulled a gun on his partner and attempted to have her draw the neighbor out of his apartment, with the confrontation occurring in front of an 8-year-old child.
The Thomases are then accused of going to the neighbor’s apartment door, where Sincere Thomas allegedly slashed the door with a machete and Donald Thomas allegedly fired a gun at the door before both fled.
The following day, after Donald Thomas was apprehended by police, Sincere Thomas is accused of threatening the partner with a kitchen knife in front of the child.
“The sheer volume of charges in this indictment reflects the severity and unrelenting nature of the defendants’ alleged conduct,” Cacace said. “What began as a simple dispute spiraled needlessly into a multipronged conflict, including alleged acts of menacing and harassment, putting innocent lives at risk and endangering the welfare of a young child.
“All too often, intimate partners are subjected to everyday violence and suffer through it in silence. I am proud of the partner in this case for speaking up. The entire New Rochelle community is safer today because of her courage.”
The investigation was conducted by the New Rochelle Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Paige Pirtle and Domestic Violence Deputy Bureau Chief Janelle Armentano.
Indictment of Donald Thomas and Sincere Thomas
An 11-count indictment was filed in Westchester County Court charging Donald Thomas and Sincere Thomas with multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses arising from incidents in the City of New Rochelle in January 2026 .
According to the indictment, the charges stem from conduct alleged to have occurred on or about January 13 and January 14, 2026.
Charges Against Donald Thomas
Donald Thomas is charged with:
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (PL 265.03[1][b]) — Possession of a loaded firearm with intent to use it unlawfully against another person. Attempted Assault in the Second Degree (PL 110/120.05[2]) — Allegedly attempting to cause physical injury by means of a dangerous instrument. Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (PL 265.02[1]) — Possession of a dangerous knife, dagger, razor, stiletto, imitation pistol, or other dangerous instrument with intent to use unlawfully. Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (PL 120.25) — Conduct alleged to have created a grave risk of death under circumstances evincing depraved indifference to human life. Assault in the Third Degree (PL 120.00[1]) — Intentionally causing physical injury. Harassment in the Second Degree (PL 240.26[1]) — Physical contact or attempted physical contact with intent to harass, annoy, or alarm. Endangering the Welfare of a Child (PL 260.10[1]) — Acting in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental, or moral welfare of a child less than 17 years old.
Charges Against Sincere Thomas
Sincere Thomas is charged with:
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (PL 265.03[1][b]) Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (PL 265.02[1]) Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree (PL 120.20) Endangering the Welfare of a Child (PL 260.10[1])
Allegations in the Indictment
The indictment alleges that while acting together and/or individually, the defendants:
Possessed loaded firearms while acting in concert. Possessed knives or other dangerous instruments with intent to use them unlawfully. Engaged in conduct creating substantial or grave risk of serious physical injury or death. Caused or attempted to cause physical injury to another person. Engaged in conduct likely to be injurious to a child under 17 years old.
The indictment was returned by a Westchester County grand jury and is signed by the District Attorney.
An indictment is an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
RELATED
New Rochelle Man Arrested with Gun After Attempting to Break Down Door, Police (4/2/2021)
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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