WATERTOWN, NY — Edward C. Howarth III, 59, of Elm Street, was arrested by Watertown Police on August 1, 2025, following an altercation with a neighbor that escalated dangerously. His charges reflect both the violation of court orders and violent conduct in the community.
Watertown authorities were called to 118 Elm Street at approximately 11:39 a.m. on August 1 in response to a neighbor dispute. According to police, Howarth became embroiled in a verbal argument with a neighbor that quickly escalated—at one point he brandished a wooden club and struck the neighbor on the wrist. Howarth himself reportedly sustained minor injuries during the confrontation .
He faces the following charges:
Second-degree menacing (Class A misdemeanor): accused of intentionally placing the neighbor in fear by swinging a stick and threatening violence.
Third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (Class D felony): for possessing a weapon during the altercation.
Assault in the third degree (Class A misdemeanor): inflicted physical injury to the neighbor, who suffered wrist trauma.
Police also noted that Howarth has prior criminal convictions and was ultimately held pending arraignment.
Eyewitness and community posts echo the official account, emphasizing how a routine neighbor dispute quickly turned threatening when Howarth escalated the exchange by wielding both a knife and a wooden club. The weaponized nature of his actions elevated the incident to multiple criminal charges, not simply a disturbance at the property boundary.
The neighbor, though injured, was treated for non-life-threatening wrist injuries. Howarth’s behavior alarmed the community, particularly since he reportedly violated a previous stay-away order, making the confrontation all the more concerning in context of community safety and legal compliance.
Howarth is currently held at Jefferson County Jail awaiting arraignment. The pending court review will determine whether bail is set and schedule upcoming hearings.
Should the prosecution proceed with all charges as reported, Howarth may face both misdemeanor and felony penalties. It's too early to predict sentencing, but violations involving weapons and violations of protection orders often carry enhanced penalties.
