Mar 20, 2019 2 min read

Stalking and harassment charges were filed against the ex-boyfriend of a sitting Washington County judge, who had previously filed a protection from abuse order against him.

James Carlo Quisenberry, 46, of 119 Cidar Lane, Peters Township, was charged by Cecil Township police with stalking, terroristic threats and two counts of harassment after police linked his phone number to numerous threatening calls made to Judge Valarie Costanzo, of Cecil Township.

In early September, Costanzo reported to Cecil Township police a voicemail she received during which the caller threatened to cut out her tongue and kill her. She told police that she recognized that the voice was Quisenberry’s, according to the criminal complaint. Police said four other witnesses who heard the voicemail also recognized his voice.

According to the complaint, Costanzo told police she had received numerous other calls with no caller identification, during which the caller didn’t say anything.

“Domestic violence does not discriminate, and it comes in many forms – physical, verbal and psychological abuse among them,” Costanzo said Tuesday. “Regardless of its form, domestic violence is used for one purpose, to dominate and control another person.

“Domestic violence abuse occurs within all age ranges, races, educational levels and professions,” she continued. “Judges are no exception.”

On Sept. 7, police issued a search warrant for phone records. Last week, police were able to connect the numerous “no caller ID” calls to Quisenberry’s phone.

Police said Quisenberry denied making the harassing phone calls, stating that he had not contacted Costanzo in a long time. He told police their relationship was “water under the bridge,” and that he “had no bones with her,” according to the criminal complaint.

Costanzo filed a PFA against Quisenberry in November 2017, which was later dismissed. He filed a PFA against her in July 2018, which was later dismissed and expunged.