Port Jervis Man Sentenced to 2-6 Years in Prison and Ordered to Pay Over $7,000 in Restitution for Setting Fire to Property Belonging to the Port Jervis Youth Program
Defendant was Released After his Arrest Because Charges Were not Bail Eligible
Defendant Fled to Ohio and had to be Extradited to Answer These Charges
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, Steve Brewer, age 39, of Port Jervis, was sentenced in Orange County Court to two (2) to six (6) 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.
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 severely limits the courts’ ability to set bail for most offenses, including serious charges such as those in this case. Brewer subsequently fled to the state of Ohio, avoided apprehension for two years and had to be extradited in order 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.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Port Jervis Police Department for their investigation and arrest of Brewer.
“This defendant’s actions constitute vandalism at its worst and most dangerous,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “The fires the defendant set caused thousands of dollars of damage to property used for children in the community. Again we see the real ramifications of bail reform play out with a needlessly protracted and costly process to locate and return a defendant intent on avoiding apprehension. Notwithstanding the challenges posed by the bail reform laws, my Office will continue to see that justice is ultimately done in cases such as this one.”
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.
