FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: FEBRUARY 15, 2018
RE: PRESS RELEASE
The Appellate Division, Third Department, has unanimously affirmed the June 11, 2015 conviction of Sondro Velez for the crime of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the third degree, a Class B felony.
The defendant was arrested as part of a continuing investigation by the Kingston Police Department Special Investigative Unit after he sold cocaine to a Confidential Informant. Upon defendant’s arrest and search of his residence at 107 Franklin Street, the police recovered both cocaine and heroin. At the defendant’s sentencing he waived his right to appeal in exchange for a negotiated sentence of six years in state prison. Despite having waived his right to appeal, defendant filed an appeal arguing, et al, that his sentence was excessive.
Defendant is a self-admitted member of the Latin Kings Gang. He has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1994 from both Massachusetts and the Bronx, including a prior felony conviction for Attempted Robbery in the third degree. In upholding the defendant’ conviction the Appellate Division summarily denied the defendant’s claims.
On appeal the defendant was represented by Janet K. Kealy of Hudson, New York. Assistant District Attorney Joan Gudesblatt Lamb, Esq. handled the appeal for the District Attorney’s Office.