GOSHEN – A Port Jervis man known as “Shooter” pled guilty in Orange County Court on Tuesday, April 19 to criminal possession of a weapon in connection with illegally possessed firearms and drugs
When sentenced in June, the District Attorney’s Office will recommend that Steven Velez, 31, be sentenced to six years in state prison and five years of post-release supervision.
After a months-long narcotics investigation, on June 8, 2021, Port Jervis City Police and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group executed warrants at two apartments at the Port Jervis Townhouses at 111 Ryan Street in the city’s Third Ward.
Police recovered a loaded, illegal 40 caliber High Point assault rifle that also had an illegal collapsible stock and pistol grip and forward hand grip.
Police also recovered narcotics and another illegal handgun there.
At the time of his plea, Velez admitted he possessed the illegal assault rifle.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives assisted in the case.
“We cannot tolerate the possession and use of illegal firearms that so often go hand-in-hand with the narcotics trade,” said District Attorney David Hoovler. “The streets of the City of Port Jervis are safer now with these weapons out of the hands of this defendant.”
