Jones – “I feel 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.”
