Ex-North York tax collector charged in 2 criminal cases is rejected from veterans court

Ramsay, 57, a Democrat, was elected in 2021 to a four-year term as North York tax collector. He had served in the U.S. Navy.

York Daily Record

Keith Ramsay, the former elected tax collector of North York who’s awaiting trial in two unrelated criminal cases, has been rejected from York County Veterans Wellness Court.

Court documents dated on May 19 state that Ramsay’s application was denied for the following reasons: “These offenses involve lewd behavior towards another via sexting by individual and the use of a firearm. Victim of individuals obscene behavior is adamantly opposed to VETS Courts.” Ramsay had served in the U.S. Navy.

Previous coverage:Keith Ramsay, facing 2 unrelated criminal cases, resigns as tax collector of North York

Keith Ramsay, the former elected tax collector of North York, was denied acceptance on May 19 into York County Veterans Wellness Court. He served in the U.S. Navy.

Ramsay, a Democrat, was elected in 2021 to a four-year term as tax collector. The North York Borough Council voted on Feb. 8 to accept his resignation.

His attorney, Mike Fenton, could not immediately be reached on Monday.

Read:North York tax collector waives preliminary hearings, headed toward trial in 2 criminal cases

First, on June 13, 2020, Ramsay, 57, fired his handgun at least twice during an argument with people in Lebanon Cemetery — York County’s largest historic Black cemetery — and then tried to cover that up, York County detectives said.

He’s charged in that case with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Later, on Nov. 4, 2021, Ramsay texted a 30-second video of himself masturbating to a North York borough official, detectives said, and then sent her a message that read, “something to think about.”

In that case, Ramsay is facing charges of harassment and open lewdness.

Also of interest:York County judge throws out temporary protective order against North York tax collector

Ramsay remains free on a total of $40,000 unsecured but supervised bail. He's set to appear back in court on June 27.

Dylan Segelbaum is the courthouse reporter at the York Daily Record, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Contact him at dsegelbaum@ydr.com, by phone at 717-916-3981 or on Twitter @dylan_segelbaum.