Kingston, NY—On Monday June 24, 2024, Ivan Serrano, age 47, of Catskill, was sentenced before the Honorable Bryan Rounds to a total of 7 to14 years in state prison for his pleas of guilty previously entered for Promoting Prison Contraband in the First Degree and Forgery in the Second Degree.
The convictions stemmed from two separate indictments. Defendant was initially indicted on charges of Forgery in the Second Degree for passing a forged check at the M & T Bank in Saugerties on July 19, 2022, while he was under Parole Supervision for a prior similar felony conviction in Ulster County Court in 2018. While in the Ulster County Jail, on January 19, 2023, defendant was found in possession of numerous items of contraband.
While awaiting prosecution on another indictment, defendant was again indicted for Promoting Prison Contraband in the First Degree for possessing dangerous contraband designed to threaten the safety and security of employees and other inmates in the Ulster County Jail on June 25, 2023. On March 23, 2024, Mr. Serrano was again found in possession of two more sharp weapons in the Ulster County Jail. His dangerous conduct persisted despite prior disciplinary action in August 2023 in Ulster County Jail for stabbing another inmate with a shank.
In addition to his continued offenses and dangerousness, the Court considered his lengthy criminal history which includes seven felony convictions and five previous prison sentences.
District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji said, “It is imperative to send a strong message that conduct which threatens or portends violence with a weapon in the Ulster County Jail is not different from similar conduct on any of our streets. Corrections Officers and staff of the jail must be assured that they will go home to their families after their shift at work is done; likewise, inmates who are serving their time or are awaiting prosecution on their pending cases must be able to go home to their loved ones at the time of release. Mr. Serrano’s persistent manufacture, possession, and use of dangerous contraband in the Jail is a threat to the safety of all in the facility; he must be treated seriously with appropriate concern for the safety and wellbeing of others. Given that he previously used one such weapon to stab another inmate, it cannot be said he was making and possessing these weapons as a hobby to pass time – he is dangerous.”
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Paul Derohannesian. The defendant was represented by Marlborough attorney Matthew Mahan.
###
