An Elmont man 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.
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 watched Clyves 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 defensive 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, 30, of Elmont, was convicted 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. He was sentenced on May 23, 2024.
“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 Suffolk County District Attorney Ray 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.”