Deerpark Arrest for AR 15 and Other Guns Was Part of Targeting Narcotics Traffic and Violence

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler says illegal guns are an "enabling force" behind drug trafficking.

A January 2 investigation by the City of Port Jervis Police Department resulted in the execution of a judicially-authorized search warrant at a residence in the Town of Deerpark. During the warrant execution, law enforcement recovered contraband including a .223 caliber semi-automatic AR 15 style assault rifle with a defaced serial number, a semi-automatic 9mm pistol with no serial number, as well as a sawed-off pistol grip shotgun and assorted firearms components.

“The illegal possession of guns is the enabling force behind narcotics trafficking and accordant violence in Orange County,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “In order to disrupt these dangerous practices, law enforcement must work collaboratively to investigate the source of these deadly weapons. I commend the work of the City of Port Jervis Police Department, as well as all of the agencies involved in this investigation and the arrest of the defendant today. We remain committed to holding those who illegally possess firearms accountable.”

Hoovler and City of Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden announced that Brian Negrette, 40, of Huguenot, was arrested on January 2 and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. Negrette was held pending arraignment on the charges.

Other law enforcement agencies who provided crucial aid in this investigation included the Town of Deerpark Police Department, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the Orange County Drug Task Force, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group, and the New York State Police Explosive Unit.

City of Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden said, "Today's arrest highlights the significance of collaboration among various law enforcement agencies in ensuring the safety of our communities. I am proud of the outstanding work performed by the detectives, officers, and prosecutors assigned to this case over the past several months, which resulted in the seizure of these weapons and the arrest of the defendant."

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Alexis Gregory.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police 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.

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