Suspended Philipstown firefighter faces underage sex charge

[DR104 141]

I do not think he will be a member of the Philipstown FD anymore

By TERENCE CORCORAN

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: January 1, 2008)

PHILIPSTOWN - A suspended North Highlands volunteer firefighter, accused last year of stealing gas from the department, faces new charges after police said they caught him engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl in a parked car.

William Kivel, 19, of 3501 Route 9, Philipstown was arrested Saturday and charged with sexual misconduct and endangering the welfare of a minor, misdemeanors, police said yesterday.

Putnam County sheriff's Deputy Thomas Corless was on Horseman's Trail around 8 p.m. when he stopped to investigate a parked car, police said, and found Kivel and the girl involved in what police described as "consensual sexual activity."

New York state law says people under age 17 do not have the capacity to consent.

Corless took the two to the sheriff's substation in Philipstown and consulted Investigator Michael Nalbone before charging Kivel.

He was arraigned before Philipstown Justice Stephen Tomann, who issued an order of protection that prohibits Kivel from contacting the girl. Kivel is due in Town Court on Jan. 9.

Kivel was charged in October with two misdemeanor counts of petty larceny, accused of stealing 14 gallons of gasoline fromthe North Highlands Volunteer Fire Department on two occasions.

A department officer noticed the missing gas Sept. 20. The charges are still pending.

Kivel was subsequently suspended from the Fire Department. Fire Chief Charles Nolen said yesterday that department officials were waiting for the gas charges to be adjudicated before moving to officially remove Kivel from the department roster.