District Attorney Hoovler Announces Prison Sentence in Port Jervis Drug Case

Port Jervis Man Sentenced to 6.5 Years in Prison for Possessing Cocaine With the Intent to Sell

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Monday, February 5, 2024, Rakeem Whatley, age 48, of Port Jervis, was sentenced in Orange County Court to six and one half (6.5) years in prison to be followed by three (3) years of post-release supervision relative to his previous pleas of guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Firearm.

As alleged in statements made and documents filed in court, an investigation into the sale of narcotics in and around Port Jervis led to the execution of a judicially-authorized search warrant at a residence in the City on October 12, 2023.  While executing the warrant, police officers with the City of Port Jervis Police Department found Whatley in the process of cooking crack-cocaine.  Also recovered during the warrant execution was a large quantity of cocaine, scales used in narcotics trafficking, as well as thousands of dollars in United States Currency.  In a dresser, police recovered an operable and illegally possessed 9mm handgun.  At the plea proceedings, Whatley admitted to possessing the cocaine with the intent to sell it and also to illegally possessing the firearm.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Port Jervis Police Department for their investigation and arrest of Whatley.

“This defendant was caught in the act of preparing drugs that he intended to peddle in our community,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Drugs have a pernicious effect, and it takes the coordinated efforts of law enforcement to proactively identify and build cases against those responsible for their sale.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to see these investigations through and to hold accountable those who seek to spread dangerous drugs on our streets.” 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Roche.

This criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.