PORT JERVIS, NY – A 13-year-old was arrested after being caught with a loaded weapon and his waistband on Church Street last month. According to Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler and City of Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden a juvenile, age 13, was taken into custody and subsequently released to the custody of a parent and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon.
He was issued a ticket and released to his parents. Because of the age of the juvenile, the matter will be prosecuted in Family Court.
According to police, on July 30th, at approximately 11:05 pm, City of Port Jervis police officers responded to a report of a teenage male dressed in all black clothing in possession of a handgun in his waistband walking towards Church Street.
“Officers Mackenzie Decker, Christopher Mehedin and Manuel Medeiros responded to the area of Church Street and Barcelow Street and located the suspect. Officers subsequently recovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol with a defaced serial number from the teen,” police reported.
“I commend the dedicated police work of the City of Port Jervis Police Department,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Gun violence is blind to age, and the City is safer after this illegal firearm was taken off the streets. We have seen a disturbing uptick in juveniles carrying dangerous and illegal weapons and we will continue to work with all of our law enforcement partners to ensure that these weapons are taken out of the hands of offenders. We will do everything in our power to hold offenders accountable and, where appropriate, ensure their rehabilitation.”
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