Orange County News
For Immediate Release Contact: Ryan Greenbaum
July 19, 2022 845.615.3657, 845.415.0868c
District Attorney Hoovler Announces State Prison Sentence in
Port Jervis Shooting Case
Defendant Pled Guilty to Possessing Illegal, Unlicensed Firearm and Shooting at a Home
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, Christopher Sicina, 22, of Port Jervis, was sentenced to eight years in state prison and five years post-release supervision in connection with his guilty plea in Orange County Court to one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and one count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree.
On November 3, 2021 at approximately 10:30 pm, officers from the Port Jervis Police Department responded to shots fired in the vicinity of Hammond Street. Their investigation revealed that multiple gun shots were discharged into a residence on Hammond Street, narrowly missing occupants inside. Through the investigation, the police developed Sicina as a suspect and learned that hours prior to the shooting, several residents of the house that was targeted by Sicina had physically assaulted him. It is believed that the shooting was retaliation for the earlier assault. When police attempted to take Sicina into custody, he fled from the authorities before he was ultimately arrested. At the time of his plea, Sicina admitted to possessing an illegal, unlicensed and loaded firearm and recklessly engaging in conduct which created a grave risk of death to another person by discharging the firearm in the direction of people inside the home.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Port Jervis Police Department for their investigation and the arrest of Sicina.
“The possession and use of illegal handguns deserves appropriate punishment,” said District Attorney Hoovler. “While no one was injured by this defendant’s criminal actions, his behavior was nonetheless violent and dangerous. I am glad that an illegal handgun, and the person responsible for possessing and using it, are both off the street. I thank the Port Jervis Police for their diligent investigation and helping to make for a safer City.”
The case is prosecuted by Chief Trial Assistant District Attorney Richard Moran.
A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.