SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY – Clyves Laurent, a 30-year-old resident of Elmont, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of possessing a defaced firearm and methamphetamine outside a Mount Sinai gas station. The sentencing follows a jury trial in April that resulted in convictions for multiple felony and misdemeanor charges.
District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney highlighted the outcome as a significant victory for public safety, commending the diligent efforts of law enforcement personnel, particularly an off-duty Suffolk County Police Department detective. The detective initially spotted Laurent due to his resemblance to a suspect wanted in connection with a prior robbery.
The events unfolded in the early hours of February 11, 2023, when the detective observed Laurent acting suspiciously at a Sunoco gas station. Laurent, who was wearing a ski mask, entered the convenience store but left abruptly without making a purchase. When approached by the detective, Laurent was combative and attempted to flee as officers arrived to assist.
Upon arrest, a defaced Glock handgun was retrieved from Laurent’s groin area, and further search at the police precinct revealed he was also in possession of methamphetamine. On April 18, 2024, Laurent was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second and Third Degrees and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree.
This conviction marks a repeat offense for Laurent, who was previously convicted in 2010 for Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. The sentence handed down on May 23, 2024, includes a subsequent five years of post-release supervision, ensuring extended oversight following the completion of his prison term.