A man from southeast St. Lawrence County was among five people indicted in Franklin County Court for allegedly covering up an assault on a Sunmount consumer.

Jeff Defayette, 29, of Piercefield is charged with a felony count of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing and one misdemeanor count of second-degree offering a false instrument for filing.

He is accused of giving false information to Sunmount and state troopers under the direction of four co-defendants, one of whom is alleged to have perpetrated the actual assault. The alleged victim sustained a head injury, which caused a seizure and concussion, according to the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs.

Defayette was arraigned in Franklin County Court by Judge Robert G. Main Jr. and released under supervision of the Franklin County Probation Department, pending further court action.

“The vast majority of direct-care workers employed by state-operated facilities or voluntary provider agencies in this state are dedicated professionals who provide quality care,” special prosecutor Patricia Gunning said in a prepared statement. “However, these defendants who betrayed the public trust, disregarded their duty to care, and attempted to cover-up abuse and neglect will be held accountable. The Justice Center, State Police and the District Attorney’s Office will continue to work to bring justice to anyone who endangers, neglects or causes injury to people receiving services, or who attempts to cover-up such mistreatment.”