Orange County News
For Immediate Release Contact: Ryan Greenbaum
August 2, 2022 845.615.3657, 845.415.0868c
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler and City of Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden Announce Gun Arrest of Teen
Juvenile Arrested for Possessing Loaded, Defaced Handgun
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler and City of Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden announced that a juvenile, age 13, was taken into custody and subsequently released to the custody of a parent and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (defaced firearm), a class D felony, and was issued an appearance ticket to appear at a future date in Orange County Family Court. Because of the age of the juvenile, the matter will be prosecuted in Family Court.
On July 30th, 2022 at approximately 11:05pm, City of Port Jervis police officers responded to a report of a teenage male dressed in all black clothing in possession of a handgun in his waistband walking towards Church Street. Officers Mackenzie Decker, Christopher Mehedin and Manuel Medeiros responded to the area of Church Street and Barcelow Street and located the suspect. Officers subsequently recovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol with a defaced serial number from the teen.
“I commend the dedicated police work of the City of Port Jervis Police Department,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Gun violence is blind to age, and the City is safer after this illegal firearm was taken off the streets. We have seen a disturbing uptick in juveniles carrying dangerous and illegal weapons and we will continue to work with all of our law enforcement partners to ensure that these weapons are taken out of the hands of offenders. We will do everything in our power to hold offenders accountable and, where appropriate, ensure their rehabilitation.”
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.