Father, 2 sons charged with conspiracy in alleged assault

DIANA, New York (WWNY) - A father and his two sons are charged with conspiracy after allegedly luring a man to a remote Lewis County road where he was beaten, and his car was destroyed.

According to an investigator with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the conspiracy involved 56-year-old Ronald Hartle of Gouverneur and his two sons, 26-year-old Justin and 31-year-old Joshua, both of Harrisville.

It happened on Richardson Road in the town of Diana on March 11 at 10:30 p.m.

The investigator alleges that Justin Hartle posed as the victim’s girlfriend on Facebook, saying she needed to be picked up on Richardson Road.

According to the investigator, the father, Ronald Hartle, acted as the lookout for the victim’s car and let his sons know the man was approaching.

Justin and Joshua Hartle allegedly used their pickup trucks to demolish the unidentified man’s car. The investigator says the brothers then beat the victim.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they said they found three smashed vehicles and a man suffering from a cut to his head and a displaced nasal bone fracture.

The investigation determined that the Hartles conspired about the alleged crime beforehand through text messages and phone calls.

Justin Hartle was arrested on May 23 and charged with first-degree attempted assault, second-degree criminal mischief, and fourth-degree conspiracy.

Joshua Hartle was arrested on May 30 and charged with second-degree assault, second-degree criminal mischief, and fourth-degree conspiracy.

Both were arraigned and jailed on $10,000 cash bail each. They have since posted bail.

Ronald Hartle was also arrested on May 30 and charged with fourth-degree conspiracy. He was ticketed and released.

The investigator says the motive behind the assault is under investigation.

No further arrests are expected, he said.

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