Port Jervis Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges, Faces 10 Years in Prison

GOSHEN, N.Y. — Joshua Conklin, 39, of Port Jervis, pled guilty on Monday, September 15, 2025, to two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. This guilty plea took place in Orange County Court, and Conklin is expected to be sentenced to ten years in prison followed by three years of post-release supervision on November 24, 2025.

The charges stem from a traffic stop by the Town of Newburgh Police Department on December 18, 2024. Officers stopped Conklin’s vehicle around 3:34 a.m. and discovered that he did not have a valid driver’s license. Upon further investigation, police found narcotics inside the vehicle and later recovered fentanyl and over 40 grams of cocaine from Conklin’s person.

While that case was still ongoing, a joint investigation commenced involving the City of Port Jervis Police Department, the Orange County Drug Task Force, and the Town of Deerpark Police Department. On April 1, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at residences in Port Jervis and Deerpark, where they recovered additional narcotics, including approximately 24 grams of cocaine and scales used for trafficking from Conklin’s bedroom.

At the plea proceedings, Conklin admitted to the unlawful possession of cocaine in both incidents. Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler praised law enforcement agencies for their collaborative efforts in these investigations, stating, “My office is as committed as ever to seeing these cases through to a just disposition.” Hoovler also expressed concern over bail reform laws that he believes enable repeat offenders.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Alexis Gregory and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Pietropaolo are prosecuting the cases against Conklin. It’s important to note that a criminal charge is simply an allegation and does not imply guilt until proven in a court of law.