John Reilly III Convicted of Assault in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Assault in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Firearm
Defendant Faces up to 25 Years in Prison on Top Count When Sentenced
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Thursday, March 26, 2026, John Reilly III, age 49, of Chester, was convicted after a jury trial in the Orange County Court of Assault in the First Degree (a class B violent felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a class C violent felony), Assault in the Second Degree (a class D violent felony), and Criminal Possession of a Firearm (eight counts, a class E felony). Reilly was remanded to the Orange County Jail without bail following the jury’s verdict and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 18, 2026.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, in the evening of May 2, 2025, an unarmed food delivery driver who was lost and whose phone battery had died walked up to Reilly’s residence in the Town of Chester with a bag of food, asking if Reilly had made the order. In response, Reilly ordered the man to leave and when the driver attempted to leave in his vehicle, Reilly emerged from his home with a shoulder holster and armed with a .45 caliber Glock pistol. Reilly racked the gun and discharged a round into the front lawn. As the victim attempted to leave in his vehicle, Reilly shot at the vehicle. Seconds later, Reilly again aimed the gun at the car and fired. A round pierced the vehicle and struck the victim in the lower back, causing devastating injuries. The .45 caliber projectile was recovered from the victim’s abdomen during emergency surgery, which resulted in the removal of over two (2) feet of the victim’s small bowel. A subsequent judicially-authorized search warrant was executed at Reilly’s residence which resulted in the recovery of .45 caliber casings in the kitchen and front lawn, the projectile from the front lawn, the shoulder holster and loaded .45 caliber Glock pistol, and seven (7) other illegally possessed pistols from the home. It was learned by law enforcement that while Reilly held a Federal Firearms License (FFL) in order to sell firearms, he had no New York State firearms license or pistol permit and therefore could not lawfully possess those guns in the State.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation which led to the arrest of the defendant. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who aided in the investigation.
“This defendant’s depraved indifference to human life was appalling and nearly resulted in the death of an innocent man,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “We can see firsthand the consequences of the use of dangerous firearms by an individual who had no business possessing a gun. I commend the dedication of the police and prosecutors assigned to the case whose thorough efforts resulted in this just outcome. I hope that the victim can continue to heal from the grievous wounds caused by this defendant’s crimes. I will reiterate that as a community, we will not stand idly by and allow for the victimization of the voiceless at the hands of the emboldened.”
District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Mangold and Assistant District Attorney Emily Worden who prosecuted the case.
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.
