NEW ROCHELLE, NY — On December 15th at 12:34 am., Officers from the New Rochelle Police Department responded to a shooting outside of Chuggers Bar, 234 North Avenue.
Subsequent investigation resulted in the suspect in the shooting being identified.
Today, at 6:30 am., Detectives from the New Rochelle Police Department, along with Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Agents from the New York State Division of Parole, arrested Jeffrey Stover aged 48 of this city, in connection with the shooting. The arrest occurred at Stover’s residence. The handgun, believed to have been used in the shooting, was recovered. The handgun had been stolen in a burglary in North Carolina.
Stover was booked for Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree (Class C Felony), Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree (Class D Felony), and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd Degree (Class D Felony). Stover was released to the custody of the FBI. Stover will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York.
A second individual, Gerren Blakey aged 42 of this city, who interfered with the arrest of Stover, was arrested and charged with Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd Degree, a Class D Felony.
The United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York charged Stover In White Plains Federal Court with Unlawfully Possessing Firearm and Ammunition in connection with shots fired in downtown New Rochelle
Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Joseph F. Schaller, Commissioner of the New Rochelle Police Department (“NRPD”), announced today a Complaint charging Jeffrey Stover, 46, with possessing a firearm and ammunition after having been convicted of a felony. The defendant was arrested today and presented in White Plains federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Lisa Margaret Smith.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged, the defendant unlawfully possessed and discharged a firearm, endangering the lives of many in our community. Thanks to the FBI, the New Rochelle Police Department, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the defendant is in custody and facing federal criminal charges.”
FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “For a convicted felon, even possessing a firearm or ammunition is a felony – and as alleged, Stover not only was in possession of a gun, he discharged it on a public street, showing reckless disregard for public safety. As today’s arrest shows, the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to ensuring the safety of our communities.”
NRPD Commissioner Joseph F. Schaller said: “This is yet another example of local, State, and federal law enforcement agencies working together to achieve positive results in removing alleged dangerous felons from our streets and enhancing the safety and quality of life in our community.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint, on or about December 15, 2018 and December 20, 2018, Stover, after having been convicted of a felony, possessed ammunition and a firearm, which Stover discharged on or about December 15, 2018 in downtown New Rochelle. Stover is charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of ammunition and/or a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). These charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which comprises agents and task force officers from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Probation Office, New York State Police, New York City Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, Yonkers Police Department, Greenburgh Police Department, Peekskill Police Department, New Rochelle Police Department, Westchester County Police Department, and Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. Mr. Berman also thanked the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for its assistance in this matter.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney Jim Ligtenberg is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
As the introductory phase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.