KINGSTON, NY – On December 18, 2024, Mark Brown, age 56, of Poughkeepsie, was convicted of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, a Felony, as well as Circumvention of an Interlock Device, following a three-day jury trial before the Honorable James Farrell, visiting judge from Sullivan County. Sentencing is scheduled for March 14, 2025.

Defendant was arrested by a New York State Trooper on May 19, 2023, following multiple traffic violations on Route 9W in the Town of Marlborough. The trooper noticed the odors of alcoholic beverage and marijuana, and that his eyes were glassy.  He failed all field sobriety tests and refused chemical tests.

Defendant had prior drunk driving convictions for which he was serving a term of probation; he was required to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on his vehicle or any vehicle he would be driving. An IID is a device that is installed in a vehicle preventing the driver from starting the car unless he first performed a function to confirm that he had not been drinking; it is a routine condition of probation for those convicted for DWI but given back the privilege to drive.

“As we are in the holiday season and spirit, with all the happy occasions and celebrations of family and friends, along with the stress of it all, let’s keep in mind that everyone’s safety, including our own, is in our hands and the drinks we lift with them; no amount of regret, remorse, or condolences can undo the harm we all know to come from drunk driving incidents,” said District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Sohil Sharedalal and Lianna Kubista, both rising young public servants of our County. The defendant was represented by Poughkeepsie attorney Ryanne Konan.