POUGHKEEPSIE – Two of the teenagers caught with loaded handguns have been released to their parents with appearance tickets. The release is the direct result of not having any beds in juvenile secure holding facilities in the state. A third teen with a loaded handgun was placed in a secure detention facility for juveniles.
The three teens, ages 15, 16, and 17, were occupants in a car that was pulled over on Wednesday night in connection with a report of shots fired on Montgomery Street. All three had loaded guns in their possession. The 15-year-old also had an outstanding Family Court bench warrant on a previous case. The original account of the traffic stop can be found here.
The two older teens are facing weapons charges and police say the 15-year-old will face gun possession charges at a later date.
The release of the teens is a common occurrence that has arisen from the “Raise the Age” law that prohibits juveniles from being housed in adult facilities unless certain burdensome processes are followed. The issue was highlighted after an Orange County juvenile was released to his mother following two separate gun arrests. The child was released because there was no vacancy in any juvenile secure detention facilities. Orange County DA David Hoovler placed the blame solely on Albany lawmakers. The recap of the incident can be found here.
The weapons recovered from the teens were a 9mm pistol, a .380 caliber handgun, and a .25 caliber handgun.
The two front-seat passengers in the car, both 17-years-old, were released without charges.
