Elmont man sentenced to 15 years in prison for possession of loaded gun outside gas station convenience store

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY) – Suffolk County Prosecutor Raymond A. Tierney announced today that Clyves Laurent, 30, of Elmont, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after five years of post-release supervision after a jury found him guilty of possession of a loaded, degraded handgun and possession of methamphetamine outside. from a convenience store at a Mount Sinai gas station.

“Thanks to the jury’s careful consideration of the evidence, this dangerous criminal has been taken off the streets and will now be in prison for years to come,” said Prosecutor Tierney. “This case highlights the dedication of our law enforcement officers, who remain vigilant and committed to public safety, even when they are off duty. The courage and quick response of the off-duty officer in this case is commendable and an integral part of maintaining the safety of our community.

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 man matching the description of a person wanted for a smoke shop robbery. occurred a week earlier. at a Sunoco gas station in Mount Sinai. The detective observed Laurent enter the gas station 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 that appeared to be a gun. Laurent became combative and refused to keep his hands off his belt. The detective called for help and when officers arrived, they attempted to search Laurent for weapons, at which point he attempted to flee unsuccessfully.

After being taken into custody, the detective removed a defaced Glock handgun from Laurent's groin. Laurent was transported to the Suffolk County Police Department's Sixth Precinct, where, after being arrested, he was also found in possession of methamphetamine.

On April 18, 2024, Laurent was convicted following a jury trial before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei, of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a class C felony, of 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 Bureau of Narcotics, and the investigation was conducted by Detectives Thomas Daley of the Suffolk County Police Department's Sixth Squad and Detective Christopher Sanchez from the Trase Section of the Suffolk County Police Department.

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