State Trooper Accused of Assault in Off-Duty Windsor Altercation

A New York State Police trooper has been accused of hitting someone in the face during a dispute outside a town of Windsor store.

Authorities say 36-year-old Paul Zandt of Deposit was arrested Monday. He has been charged with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor.

According to a state police news release, Zandt allegedly struck a person in the face in the parking lot of a Dollar General store when he was not on duty. The incident was reported to the Broome County 911 Center around 6 p.m. Saturday.

Zandt is said to have left the area after the assault. Investigators say the trooper and the other person involved in the altercation did not know each other before the incident.

The person who was apparently was hit was evaluated by medics but was not taken to a hospital.

A state police spokesman in Albany said Zandt has been suspended without pay. He also said an internal investigation will be conducted.

Zandt was appointed to Troop F in Middletown after graduating from the New York State Police academy in May 2017. He now is assigned to Troop C based in Sidney.