Port Jervis man faces up to six years for youth program arson case

On Wednesday, February 14, Steve Brewer, 39, of Port Jervis, was sentenced in Orange County Court to two to six years in prison and ordered to pay $7,199.20 in restitution after pleading guilty to arson in the third degree, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced.

According to court documents, on April 18, 2021, members of the Port Jervis Police Department responded to a fire in the area of Riverside Park. Brewer was allegedly seen near a garbage can that was also on fire. Police at the time said Brewer placed the blame for the fires on two teenagers before later admitting that he set the fires himself. The damaged property included a cargo container used to store bikes, helmets and other items belonging to the Port Jervis Youth Program. At the plea proceedings, Brewer admitted to “intentionally damaging the cargo container by starting a fire.” After being released on his own recognizance, Brewer then reportedly fled to Ohio to escape prosecution for about two years.

Hoovler thanked the Port Jervis Police Department for their investigation and arrest of Brewer.

“This defendant’s actions constitute vandalism at its worst and most dangerous,” said Hoovler. “The fires the defendant set caused thousands of dollars of damage to property used for children in the community. Again we see the real ramifications of bail reform play out with a needlessly protracted and costly process to locate and return a defendant intent on avoiding apprehension. Notwithstanding the challenges posed by the bail reform laws, my office will continue to see that justice is ultimately done in cases such as this one.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Roche.