Suspect is Boyfriend of Incumbent Supervisor’s Daughter
By CaraLynn Caulfield
A Kings Park man has been arrested for allegedly stalking his political rival in a string of late-night visits.
Joshua Smith, 47, of 26 Burr Avenue, was charged with fourth-degree stalking, a misdemeanor, after allegedly pulling into Legislator Robert Trotta’s driveway multiple times between June 16 and June 18 in a white 1989 Chevrolet pickup truck. Police say Smith revved his engine loudly and defaced campaign signs by cutting and spray-painting them—acts they believe were meant to intimidate Trotta and his family.
Trotta said the first incident occurred late on the night of June 16. “I thought it was a jet engine at first,” he said in an interview with Long Island Life & Politics. “It sounded like thunder and went on for about 20 seconds. I looked out the window and couldn’t see anything, but the next morning, my neighbor came over and said, ‘That car was sitting in your driveway last night.’ He was concerned. I was concerned.”
The repeated disturbances began just days after the fatal shooting of two state legislators in Minnesota, a tragedy that prompted Suffolk County police to advise elected officials to be on high alert. Concerned for his safety and that of his family, Trotta contacted the police on June 19.
Officers with the Suffolk County Police Department’s Major Case Unit responded by installing a discreet license plate reader on his block. When the truck returned the following night, the reader flagged Smith’s plate. After conducting a full investigation, detectives arrested Smith on June 23 around 5:45 p.m. on Indian Head Road in Kings Park.
The case quickly drew attention when it was revealed that Smith is dating Kellie Ann Wehrheim, daughter of Supervisor Ed Wehrheim—Trotta’s opponent in the Republican primary.
“I was shocked. Absolutely shocked,” Trotta said. “I looked Joshua up on Facebook and saw a photo of him with the supervisor’s daughter. That’s when it all made sense.”
Although Trotta later learned of Smith’s personal ties to his political rival, he said he had never met the man or seen the truck before. The discovery, he said, only reinforced his belief about the motive behind the incidents. “Of course this was politically motivated,” Trotta said. “He was trying to intimidate us—it’s harassment, plain and simple.”
Trotta also criticized the timing of the arrest—just one day before voters hit the polls. “I would’ve preferred the arrest happened a week earlier,” he said. “To have it happen the night before the election… it just highlights the chaos this guy created.”
Supervisor Wehrheim’s campaign, which initially denied any involvement or connection to Smith, released a statement following the arrest condemning the behavior and distancing themselves from Smith.
“My family members are private citizens, not public figures,” Wehrheim said. “I firmly believe that any individual who trespasses on private property should be fully investigated and prosecuted. I invite Mr. Trotta to sit down with me and the appropriate authorities so we can bring the responsible individuals to justice.”
As of press time, Wehrheim’s campaign has not responded to requests for updated comment.
Trotta, who is seeking to unseat Wehrheim as Smithtown Supervisor, said the focus should be on policy—not personal attacks or intimidation.
“You know what the problem is?” he said. “It should be about the issues—like preserving open space, limiting high-density housing, and putting term limits in place. That’s what matters to Smithtown residents, not this kind of behavior.”
Smith was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date. Suffolk Police are asking anyone with additional information to contact Major Case Unit detectives at 631-852-6555.