(WNY News Now) – Jacob Rivera-Abbey, 24, faces felony charges after allegedly violating an order of protection in the Town of Ellicott on January 2.

Ellicott, N.Y. – A 24-year-old Jamestown man was arrested on January 2 after allegedly violating a court-ordered stay away order of protection. Jacob Rivera-Abbey was charged with criminal contempt in the first degree, a felony offense, after Town of Ellicott police responded to reports of the violation.

According to authorities, Rivera-Abbey had been at the victim’s residence, despite the court order prohibiting him from being there. Further investigation revealed that Rivera-Abbey has a prior conviction for criminal contempt in the second degree, elevating the charge to a felony.

Rivera-Abbey was taken into custody and transported to the Chautauqua County Jail, where he was held for a centralized arraignment. He is expected to appear in the Town of Ellicott court at a later date to answer to the charges.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.