Montrose, Pennsylvania Man Absconded While Pending Sentence
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, Dustin Showers, age 34, of Montrose, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to nine (9) years in prison to be followed by five (5) years of post-release supervision in connection with his previous guilty plea in Orange County Court to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. Showers pled guilty in 2022, failed to return to court for sentencing and a bench warrant was issued. He was eventually returned to court on the warrant in April, 2024. At the sentencing proceedings, in light of the defendant’s admitted conduct and failure to abide by the plea promises made to the court by absconding for a year and a half, the People recommended a fifteen (15) year sentence, which is the maximum sentence permitted.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, an investigation conducted by the City of Port Jervis Police Department, in conjunction with the Orange County Drug Task Force and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, revealed that Showers was both making and selling to others untraceable AR-15 style ghost guns that bore no serial numbers. At the plea proceedings, Showers admitted that on September 2, 2021 at a location in the Town of Minisink, he illegally possessed a loaded assault weapon.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Port Jervis Police Department, the Orange County Drug Task Force and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation which led to the arrest of Showers. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center for their assistance.
“Untraceable ghost guns pose a significant danger in the hands of bad actors,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Where, as here, these guns are not only illegally possessed but also sold into the hands of others with unknown intentions, it is incumbent on law enforcement to disrupt their actions before tragedy strikes. To be clear, police and prosecutors respect and honor those who lawfully possess guns. On the other hand, those who subvert gun laws and put illegal weapons into the hands of other criminals without any regard must be held accountable. Offenders should also know that despite changes in bail laws in New York State, failing to return to court and to abide by promises made at the time of the plea will result in appropriately enhanced sentences.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Neal Eriksen.
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.
