John Selja Jr. Pled Guilty to Assault in the First Degree
People to Recommend 15 Year Prison Sentence
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Friday, November 14, 2025, John Selja Jr., age 22, of Monroe, pled guilty in Orange County Court to Assault in the First Degree relative to the shooting of a man in Port Jervis in May. Under the plea agreement announced on the record at the time that Selja pled guilty, the People will recommend he be sentenced to fifteen (15) years in prison to be followed by five (5) years post-release supervision when he is sentenced on January 27, 2026.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, Selja and co-defendant Andrew Delrio approached the victim who was in a parked vehicle in the City of Port Jervis at approximately 9:30 p.m. on May 6, 2025. Selja leaned into the vehicle and attempted to take property from the victim, who pushed Selja back. Selja then pulled out a gun and fired at the victim who sustained serious physical injuries. A judicially-authorized search warrant was later executed at Selja’s residence which resulted in the recovery of a firearm that ballistically matched casings recovered from the crime scene. At the plea proceedings, Selja admitted that, with intent to cause serious physical injury to the victim he caused such injury by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Port Jervis Police for their investigation which led to the arrest of the defendants. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the Town of Warwick Police Department and the Orange County Drug Task Force who aided in the investigation.
“Illegally possessed firearms pose a clear and present danger in the hands of violent offenders,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “While the needless violence exhibited by the defendant in this case did not result in fatal injuries, his conduct was senseless and calls for significant punishment. The investigation and prosecution of violent crime and the criminals responsible remains the number one priority of my office.”
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Mangold.
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.
