Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Clyves Laurent, 30, of Elmont, was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed five years of post-release supervision after a jury found him guilty of possessing a defaced loaded handgun and methamphetamine outside of a Mount Sinai gas station convenience store.
“Thanks to the careful consideration of the evidence by the jury, this dangerous criminal has been removed from the streets and will now be in prison for years to come,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This case highlights the dedication of our law enforcement officers, who remain vigilant and committed to public safety, even while off-duty. The bravery and quick response of the off- duty officer in this instance is commendable and integral to maintaining the safety of our community.”
The evidence at trial established that on February 11, 2023, at approximately 1:20 a.m., an off- duty Suffolk County Police Department detective observed a male matching the description of a person wanted for a robbery of a Smoke Shop that occurred a week earlier at a Sunoco gas station in Mount Sinai. The detective observed Laurent enter the gas station’s convenience store wearing a ski mask and then quickly exit without purchasing anything.
When the detective approached Laurent, he observed a bulge in Laurent’s pants which appeared to be a firearm. Laurent became combative and refused to keep his hands away from his waistband. The detective called for assistance, and when officers arrived, they attempted to frisk Laurent for weapons, at which point he unsuccessfully attempted to flee.
After he was placed in custody, the detective removed a defaced Glock handgun from Laurent’s groin area. Laurent was transported to the Suffolk County Police Department’s Sixth Precinct, where upon being processed for the arrest, he was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine.
On April 18, 2024, Laurent was convicted after a jury trial heard before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei, of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
Additionally, in 2010, Laurent was previously convicted of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class D felony.
On May 23, 2024, Laurent was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by five years of post- release supervision. He was represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jennifer Wickers and Raquel Tisi of the Narcotics Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detectives Thomas Daley of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Sixth Squad and Detective Christopher Sanchez of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Trase Section.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.
