Alleged Gang Member Gets 14 Years

Jovan Bailey, 31, of Medford, an alleged member of the Bloods street gang, was sentenced to 14 years in state prison on multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, assault, criminal use of a firearm, and criminal possession of a weapon on Friday, September 14, in the Suffolk County Court of Judge Stephen Braslow.

“On November 26, 2016, at approximately 3:25 AM, Bailey shot a victim twice in the chest outside of the Suffolk Theater, located at 118 East Main Street in Riverhead,” District Attorney Tim Sini said in a press release. Less than two months later, Bailey shot another man, outside the Shakers Pub on Sunrise Highway in Oakdale. Following that early morning January 14 shooting, Bailey fled in a vehicle, which was located less than two hours later by the Suffolk police. The owner of the car, Jessica Hardy, of Bellport, was charged with illegally possessing a loaded 9 mm Glock semi-automatic pistol that police found in the car.

Using forensic science, including DNA, police were able to identify the gun as the one used in both shootings. The Suffolk County police, Riverhead Town police, and the district attorney’s office uncovered additional evidence connecting Bailey to the shootings during their joint investigation.

Meanwhile, Bailey had fled the state. On March 7, he was picked up by the New York-New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force of the U.S. Marshals Service and was returned to Suffolk County for prosecution.

Hardy pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a firearm, a misdemeanor, and was sentenced to three years’ probation in July of this year.

“This is a dangerous individual and an alleged gang member who repeatedly committed senseless acts of gun violence and then attempted to evade law enforcement by fleeing Suffolk County,” District Attorney Sini said in his statement.

t.e@indyeastend.com