Port Jervis Man Sentenced to 2-6 Years in Prison and Fined Over $7,000 for Setting Fire to Port Jervis Youth Program Property
The defendant was released after his arrest because the charges weren't bail eligible. He fled to Ohio and had to be extradited.
Steve Brewer, 39, of Port Jervis, was sentenced on Feb. 14 in Orange County Court to two to six years in prison and ordered to pay $7,199.20 in restitution relative to his previous plea of guilty to Arson in the Third Degree, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced.
Brewer was released without bail after his arrest, as the charges he faced were not bail eligible. In 2019, “bail reform” legislation was enacted in New York State that limits the courts’ ability to set bail for most offenses. Brewer subsequently fled to Ohio, avoided apprehension for two years and had to be extradited to answer the charges.
As alleged in statements made and documents filed in court, on April 18, 2021, members of the Port Jervis Police Department responded to a fire in the area of Riverside Park. Brewer was seen near a garbage can that was separately on fire. He later spoke to the police and initially said that two teenagers were responsible for the fires. Brewer then admitted that he set the fires himself. The damaged property included a cargo container used to store bikes, helmets and other items belonging to the Port Jervis Youth Program. At the plea proceedings, Brewer admitted to intentionally damaging the cargo container by starting a fire.
Hoovler thanked the City of Port Jervis Police Department for their investigation and arrest of Brewer. 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.
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