They say nothing good ever happens after midnight.
A New Jersey man was convicted today of driving drunk and possessing a loaded, illegal gun during a traffic stop in New Windsor last summer.
Louis Dessources, age 38, was convicted of felony charges following a jury trial in Orange County Court. He was found guilty of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree and Operating a Motor Vehicle while Under the Influence of Alcohol.
At approximately 2:47am on August 15, 2021, the New York State Police pulled over Dessources, who was operating a Lincoln Navigator southbound on the New York State Thruway in New Windsor, for traffic violations. What began as a routine traffic stop quickly turned into much more.
Troopers noticed that Dessources had an odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath and appeared intoxicated. Dessources refused to take a breathalyzer test. He was subsequently arrested for misdemeanor Operating a Motor Vehicle while Under the Influence of Alcohol.
While processing the arrest, Troopers found a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol in Dessources’ book-bag which was recovered from the front passenger seat of the car.
“Illegal weapons possession cannot be tolerated,” District Attorney David M. Hoovler declared. “This defendant possessed the loaded pistol in a bag that was within arms-reach as he was driving on the New York State Thruway. This illegally possessed handgun endangered the community, as did the defendant’s actions in choosing to drive on a highway while he was intoxicated. I am grateful to the New York State Police for their vigilance in protecting the public.”
Dessources faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison and five years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on August 4, 2022. Following the jury’s verdict, he was remanded to Orange County Jail without bail.
Hoovler highly commended Assistant District Attorney Peter Fernandez and Senior Assistant District Attorney Julie Mohl who prosecuted the case.
