SULLIVAN COUNTY — Notice: In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7 - 107A of the Code of Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Sullivan County District Attorney Jim Farrell announced today that the Sullivan County Grand Jury has returned indictments against three men in three separate gun possession cases, as follows:

Daquann Staten, 18, of Monticello, N.Y. was indicted for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, a class C violent felony, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a class E felony, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 4th Degree, a class E felony, and Resisting Arrest, a class A misdemeanor. The indictment alleges that Staten possessed two different firearms on two different dates in the Village of Monticello. The first incident alleges that Staten possessed a fully operational revolver on June 11, 2019, in the area of the Monticello Street. Monticello Police are currently investigating that incident during which that gun was fired at another person prior to Staten's possession of it. The revolver used was not recovered. The second incident alleges that Staten possessed a second and different weapon, a stolen and loaded Springfield 45 XDS semi-automatic handgun, on June 25, 2019, two weeks later, on Forestburgh Road, when Monticello Police arrested him; the indictment alleges Staten also resisted arrest. Monticello Police recovered that loaded and stolen firearm from Staten while taking him into custody. Farrell said that Staten was arrested after an investigation by the Village Monticello Police Department. If convicted of these illegal gun possession crimes, Staten faces up to 19 years in state prison. Staten was released from the Sullivan County Jail after posting $50,000 bail and is pending arraignment in County Court on the indictment.

Jeremiah Fannings, 22, of Fallsburg, N.Y. was indicted for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, a class C violent felony, and Criminal Possession of Marihuana in the 5th Degree, a class B misdemeanor. In this case, the indictment alleges that Fannings possessed a loaded Browning 1911 .380 caliber firearm on July 5, 2019 on Pine Street in the Village of Monticello. The indictment further accuses Fannings of possessing more than 25 grams of marihuana. Farrell said that Fannings was arrested after an investigation by the Village of Monticello Police Department. If convicted, Fannings faces up to 15 years in state prison. Fannings is currently in the Sullivan County Jail awaiting arraignment before the County Court.

Colon Dacosta, 31, of Fallsburg, N.Y. was indicted for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, a class C violent felony, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, a class B drug felony, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 4th Degree, a class C drug felony, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree, a class D felony, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 4th Degree, a class E felony, 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree, class A misdemeanors, Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the 2nd Degree, a class A misdemeanor, and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, a violation. The indictment alleges that Dacosta possessed a stolen and loaded Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380 caliber firearm on July 12, 2019, as well as more than one-eighth of an ounce of heroin intended for sale, an electronic stun gun, psilocybin, anabolic steroids, marihuana and a scale at his residence in Woodbourne in the Town of Fallsburg. The discovery of these items by police followed and investigation by police and the execution of a search warrant by the New York State Police Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team, with assistance of the Sullivan County District Attorney's Office. If convicted, Dacosta faces up to 24 years in state prison. Dacosta is currently in the Sullivan County Jail awaiting arraignment before the County Court.

Farrell said, “My office will continue to work collaboratively with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those individuals who possess illegal firearms. Removal of illegally possessed handguns from the streets prevents the use of those guns in the commission of violent crimes. I want to thank the police officers of the Village of Monticello Police Department, New York State Police and the District Attorney's Office for their good work and diligence in investigating these cases and removing these illegal handguns from the stream of commerce in our community. The police are pro-actively patrolling and investigating thereby ensuring the safety of our community and for that they should be commended.”