On June 8, 2021, Port Jervis City Police and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group executed two warrants at apartments #26 and #28 located at the Port Jervis Townhouses at 111 Ryan Street in the City’s 3rd Ward.

Steven Velez, a/k/a “Shooter,” age 30, of 111 Ryan Street, Port Jervis, New York, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, for possession of a loaded firearm; Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, for possession of an assault rifle; Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, for possession of a large-capacity ammunition-feeding device; and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, for possession of heroin with intent to sell it, all felonies; and with two counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, misdemeanors.

Police recovered a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, an assault rifle, ammunition, and a quantity of heroin and packaging materials.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) assisted with the investigation.

Velez was arraigned in Orange County Virtual Court and remanded to the custody of the Orange County Correctional Facility without bail pending a Grand Jury evaluation.

On June 10, 2021, during the early morning hours, Port Jervis Police arrested Christopher Cox, age 27, of Port Jervis, New York, on Pike Street and charged him with being a Fugitive from Justice, based upon an arrest warrant issued by Frankfort Municipal Court, Sussex County, New Jersey, for the felony offense of Conspiracy to Distribute more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of heroin, a controlled dangerous substance. When officers attempted to place Cox under arrest on Pike Street, the defendant fled on foot and was apprehended by officers after a brief struggle on the Matamoras/Port Jervis Bridge. Officers further recovered 112 packets of heroin and a quantity of crack cocaine. Cox was additionally charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, for possession of the narcotics “with intent to sell,” a felony; and Resisting Arrest, a misdemeanor. The defendant was arraigned and remanded to Orange County Jail in lieu of $10,000.00 bail pending further court appearances.

A 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.