City of Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden and Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler Announce Narcotics Arrest
Port Jervis Man Charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree for possessing 13 grams of crack cocaine and Failing to Register as a Sex Offender
Damon Don, 46, was arrested on February 22nd, 2023, after a month’s long investigation by the Port Jervis City Police into narcotics trafficking in the Port Jervis area. A search warrant, issued by the Port Jervis City Court, was executed on February 22nd, 2023, at a residence in the City of Port Jervis
Damon Don was charged with five (5) counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree, a class B felony, six (6) counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree, a class B felony, one (1) count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 4th degree (narcotic drug), a class C felony, and two (2) counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the 2nd degree, a class A misdemeanor.
Damon Don was additionally charged with a Sexual Offender Registry Violation (2nd offense), a class D felony. Mr. Don is currently under community supervision for life for having been previously convicted as a sexual offender in the State of New Jersey.
Damon Don was additionally charged with being a Fugitive from Justice from the State of New Jersey, being wanted from that state for failing to comply with the provisions of his parole.
As a result of the investigation police recovered a total of approximately thirteen (13) grams of crack cocaine, packaging materials for narcotics, a digital scale, and $1,859 in U.S. currency.
“A small number of persons are responsible for the vast majority of illegal drugs in our city.”, said Police Chief William Worden. “We strive to identify and focus our investigative, patrol and community resources to disrupt these persons and remove their illicit trafficking operations from our streets. Our collaborative partnerships with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and fellow law enforcement agencies further enhance these efforts.”
The investigation and subsequent arrest were conducted in conjunction with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group (SOG), the Orange County Drug Task Force (OC DTF), and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center (CAC).
“I commend the City of Port Jervis Police Department for their proactive work in targeting illegal drug trafficking operations,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Identifying who is causing the most harm in a community and working collaboratively with other law enforcement agencies, such as the Orange County Drug Task Force and Orange County Sheriff’s Office, to eliminate those threats is the surest way to keep our communities safe.”
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alexis Gregory.
Criminal charges are merely allegations that a defendant has committed violations of the criminal law, and as such they are not evidence of guilt. All defendants have a presumption of innocence and are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the burden of the State of New York to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.