Bayonne man faces additional charge in Long Island stalking case

A New Jersey man, already charged with stalking a Suffolk County nurse for more than three years, was arraigned Wednesday on a superseding indictment that included an additional felony charge for sending the victim a number of text messages in May.

During a hearing in Riverhead, Suffolk prosecutors charged Michal Pacek, 47, of Bayonne, with a second count of first-degree criminal contempt — this time for violating an order of protection against Melanie Smith between May 8 and May 14. Pacek pleaded not guilty and was held without bail.

On May 14, the day after Newsday published its initial story on the stalking case, Pacek sent Smith a series of texts counting down from 10, according to Adam Uris, Smith's attorney.

When the countdown hit 1, Pacek shared a pin, notifying Smith that a package was at her parents' Suffolk home. Suffolk police arrived at the house and found a black dress inside a box addressed to "Sporty Panties," Uris said.

In late May, Pacek pleaded not guilty to another count of first-degree criminal contempt — also for violating Smith's order of protection — along with two counts of third-degree stalking and three counts of second-degree aggravated harassment, both misdemeanors.

"After three years, it's a relief to see the efforts taken by law enforcement to finally hold this man responsible for his predatory behavior," Uris said. "We continue to be encouraged by the present actions of the Suffolk County DA's office, and are hopeful that it shows a renewed commitment to ensuring that this type of behavior is not tolerated on Eastern Long Island."

Christopher Gioe, Pacek's defense attorney, did not respond to a request for comment.

Pacek's alleged harassment of Smith began in May 2023 after she attempted to sell an old iPhone on Facebook Marketplace and received what she described as a bizarre message filled with graphic sexual remarks from a man she'd never met.

In the years that followed, Smith said she received hundreds of sexually explicit and violent calls, messages, social media posts and emails from Pacek, who also sent her dozens of unsolicited gifts, including an $800 bouquet of roses, more than $500 in cash, 40 pieces of lingerie and sexual paraphernalia.

Smith filed dozens of police reports and secured three court orders of protection, although another request was rejected because of a "lack of a relationship" between the two, records show.

Pacek, who has never physically harmed Smith, was arrested in July 2024 on stalking and aggravated harassment charges after showing up at her parents' house in Suffolk.

He spent about 90 days in jail before being found mentally unfit to stand trial. But he was released from a psychiatric facility after less than one day, triggering the automatic dismissal of the case and of an order of protection Smith had secured against Pacek.

In April 2025, Pacek was charged with second-degree aggravated harassment and third- and fourth-degree stalking, records show.

On the eve of trial in December, Pacek's attorney requested a psychological fitness exam but Pacek failed to show up, and a warrant was issued for bail jumping and criminal contempt, records indicate.

Following Newsday's coverage of Smith's case, Pacek was arrested by the New Jersey State Police Department's Fugitive Task Force, and he waived extradition to Long Island.

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.