Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Joe Nunez, 34, of Copiague, was found guilty after a jury trial, of felony drug and weapon possession charges stemming from a police response to two unrelated minor noise complaints in August 2022.
“This is yet another case of how drugs and illegal guns are often linked, especially to those who participate in drug sales. Drug dealers such as this defendant, illegally carry loaded guns to protect themselves and their lethal street drugs from anyone that they deem to be a threat,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office is committed to making the streets of Suffolk County safe by stopping the proliferation of illegal firearms and ensuring those who break the law, such as this defendant, are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The evidence at trial established that on August 14, 2022, Suffolk County Police Department uniformed officers responded to the vicinity of Campagnoli Avenue in Copaigue in response to unrelated noise complaints. Upon concluding addressing the noise complaints, the officers observed Nunez operating an unregistered dirt bike. When they attempted to approach him, Nunez fled on the dirt bike, but struck a parked vehicle. Nunez then ran from the scene of the accident while an officer pursued him on foot.
During the chase, the officer observed Nunez throw a black metal object under a vehicle that was parked on the corner of Campagnoli Avenue and Colombo Avenue. The officer continued to chase Nunez and saw him throw a clear plastic bag over a fence and into a residential yard located on Columbo Avenue.
After apprehending and arresting Nunez, the officers returned to the two locations where Nunez discarded the items during the chase, and they recovered a loaded illegal firearm under the vehicle, as well as a clear plastic bag containing three separate bags containing substances that were later tested and determined to be fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine, respectively.
On May 23, 2023, Nunez was found guilty after a jury trial heard before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable John B. Collins, for the charges of:
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony;
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony; and
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class C felony;
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony.
Nunez has multiple prior felony convictions dating back to 2007. In 2015, Nunez was convicted of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony. In 2009, he was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, a Class D felony. In 2007, Nunez was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.
Nunez is due back in court for sentencing on July 6, 2023, and is facing up to 15 years in prison. He is being represented by Jonathan Manley, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Saam Jalayer of the Narcotics Bureau, with investigative assistance by Suffolk County Police Department Detective Kevin Gribben of the First Squad, and Suffolk County Police Officers Peter Verhey and Michael Chimenti.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.