The man from New York who was charged in connection with the racially motivated assault of a Black hotel clerk in Mystic in 2020 is facing further legal troubles.
Connecticut authorities are on the lookout for Philip Sarner, aged 43, who failed to appear in New London Superior Court on May 22 for his pending criminal case. The case pertains to the assault of Crystal Caldwell, aged 59, from Groton.
He didn’t show up for a reason.
According to records from a New York court, Sarner has been detained at the Albany County Correctional Facility since May 15th, after being apprehended by the police in Albany, NY due to his involvement in a domestic dispute.
When the authorities apprehended Sarner, they also presented him with a warrant from the Colonie police. The warrant was related to a purported robbery that occurred several months prior at a Home Depot store.
According to Lt. Anthony Sidoti of the Colonie Police, on September 21, 2023, Sarner reportedly committed a robbery at Home Depot, leaving the store with unpaid items. Upon being confronted by store employees, Sarner allegedly fled the scene in his vehicle, driving recklessly towards them and causing damage to a nearby building. Despite police pursuit, the chase was terminated due to concerns over public safety.
According to court records, Sarner had prior convictions in New York for grand larceny and drug possession and was on parole when the crimes were committed.
In Connecticut, Sarner faces charges for assaulting Caldwell at the Quality Inn in Mystic on July 13, 2000. The charges include second-degree assault, third-degree assault, and intimidation due to bias. The entire incident was recorded on video surveillance cameras at the hotel, which clearly shows Sarner and his girlfriend at that time, Emily Orbay, aggressively pushing, punching, and kicking Caldwell.
Sarner has been accused of second-degree harassment due to reportedly making threatening phone calls to M. John Strafaci, one of Caldwell’s lawyers.
In 2021, Caldwell was hit with a federal civil lawsuit by Sarner and Orbay who refuted the allegations against them. The duo accused Caldwell of spreading false information and attempting to ruin their lives.
The federal civil case, in which the Strafacis are representing Caldwell, is currently pending. Along with filing a motion for default, they have also submitted a counterclaim that seeks damages.
Orbay, who is facing charges similar to Sarner, has sought accelerated rehabilitation from the court, which is typically granted to first-time offenders. However, Caldwell’s lawyers have expressed their intention to contest the application.
M. John Strafaci, along with his son M. Joseph Strafaci, is representing Caldwell in this case. According to him, any judge who watches the video and observes Orbay’s involvement in the assault should not grant AR.
Last year, as the cases were approaching trial, the attorney representing Sarner and Orbay withdrew from the case. Despite receiving plea offers from state prosecutors that would have resulted in a five-year prison sentence for Sarner and a two-year sentence for Orbay, the two individuals have chosen to reject these offers.
According to M. John Strafaci, Caldwell possesses a clear understanding of the court process but is currently feeling frustrated due to the lack of progress in the case. This is particularly frustrating for Caldwell, given that a trial was expected to take place last year.
According to Strafaci, it comes as no surprise that Sarner has been rearrested in New York amidst his legal troubles.
According to Strafaci, “It only confirms what is already known – that he poses a danger to society and the appropriate place for him is behind bars.”
