Ziquan Jenkins was Previously Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison and now Faces Additional 15 Year Sentence

ounty District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that Ziquan Garfield Jenkins, age 22, of Newburgh, pled guilty in Orange County Court to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.  Jenkins was sentenced on earlier cases in October to a total of twenty-five (25) years in prison to be followed by five (5) years post-release supervision in connection with having pled guilty to Robbery in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.  Under the plea agreement announced on the record at the time that he pled guilty in the newer case, it is expected he will be sentenced to fifteen (15) years in prison to be followed by five (5) years post-release supervision when he is next in court on January 6, 2025.

On March 18, 2024, Jenkins pled guilty to Robbery in the First Degree, and admitted that on September 2, 2023, he and others displayed handguns and forcibly stole money, an I-phone and a gold chain and crucifix from a man on Benkard Avenue in the City of Newburgh. On that date he also pled guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and admitted that on July 6, 2023, he possessed a loaded handgun on Broadway in the City of Newburgh, which he discharged at another person, who was not injured.

On July 10, 2024, an arrest warrant was issued for Jenkins when he failed to appear for sentencing on the Robbery in the First Degree plea and the Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree pleas.  On July 26, 2024, Jenkins was arrested on those warrants and was again alleged to be in possession of a loaded firearm.  Jenkins was subsequently sentenced in October to ten (10) years in prison and five (5) years post-release supervision for the crime of Robbery in the First Degree and was sentenced to fifteen (15) years in prison, and five (5) years post-release supervision, for the crime of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree for the July 6, 2023, incident in which he fired the pistol. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively for a total sentence of twenty-five (25) years in prison and five (5) years post-release supervision. 

At the plea proceedings on November 7, Jenkins admitted to possessing the loaded firearm on July 26, 2024.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department for their investigation and the arrests of Jenkins.

“This persistent recidivist’s arrest, prosecution and incarceration will make the streets of Newburgh safer,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Law enforcement is dedicated to rooting out violence in our communities.  We see time and again that such violence often occurs with illegally possessed firearms.  We will pursue these cases and these offenders to ensure just outcomes.  Let the sentences imposed in these cases stand as a stark warning to those considering engaging in similar behavior.”

The weapons possession cases were prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney Leah Canton, and the robbery case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Richard Giordano.

A 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.