Jones – “vindicated”
GOSHEN – A federal jury has found Orange County Undersheriff Kenneth
Jones not liable in a lawsuit brought by Wallkill town resident Vincent
Ferri.
His attorneys Michael Sussman and Jonathan Lovett contended Jones violated
Ferri’s First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights when Jones
had a representative of the sheriff’s office contact Ferri and request
that he voluntarily turn himself in or uniformed deputies would arrest
and bring him in.
Ferri was arrested, processed and released on an appearance ticket. He
was arrested in 2015 for allegedly harassing former County Legislator
Shannon Wong by drawing offensive political cartoons. The district attorney
later chose not to prosecute.
“The jury unanimously found that the county acted properly,”
said Orange County Attorney Langdon Chapman. “We appreciate the
jury’s careful consideration of the issues and are pleased justice
was served.”
“Because I authorized a lawful arrest, I was the target of Mr. Sussman
and Mr. Lovett’s client Vince Ferri,” said Jones. “I
feel vindicated because the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is one
of the most professional sheriff’s offices in the country.”
