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SCHENECTADY -- A Schenectady County correction officer was forced to resign Tuesday after being arrested twice within the past eight months on domestic-violence incidents, according to court records and people familiar with the case.

Ross Lackey had been back on the job for about three weeks when he was arrested Friday for allegedly shoving his 28-year-old girlfriend and grabbing her cell phone when she tried to call police during an argument at an apartment on Brandywine Avenue

He was charged with criminal mischief, a misdemeanor, and harassment, a violation. Lackey pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on bail pending a Dec. 22 court appearance, said his attorney Steven X. Kouray.

This latest brush with the law for Lackey, 28, occurred after he had been suspended for seven months and ordered to undergo anger-management treatment by the sheriff's office for a violent altercation involving his then-girlfriend in April at his Niskayuna home. The woman had reported to police that he shoved her and put her in a strangle hold and took her cell phone so she couldn't call for help.

Lackey, who was charged with two counts of harassment and unlawful imprisonment, pleaded guilty to harassment, a violation, Kouray added.

Kouray said he has known Lackey since he was five years old and that Lackey grew up with his son.

"I'm disappointed by what happened and I can understand where the sheriff is coming from," said Kouray, adding Lackey is hoping to resolve this latest legal hurdle and move on with his life.

Sheriff Dominic Dagostino, who said Lackey had about three years on the job, confirmed Tuesday that he resigned.

"We are considering the matter closed on our end," said Dagostino, who citing personnel matters declined to discuss the specifics of the case. Lackey correction officer's job paid about $50,000 a year.

Paul Nelson can be reached at 454-5347 or by email at pnelson@timesunion.com