Suffolk Man Gets 15 Years For Drug, Gun Charges: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY — A Bellport man was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty in November 2023 to numerous weapons and drug charges shortly before opening statements in his trial were set to begin, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said Tuesday.

On Jan. 26, 2023, Suffolk police executed a search warrant at a home frequented by Levoughan McKinnie, and found cocaine, two digital scales, drug packaging material, cash, and a loaded .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol, prosecutors said.

“This prior felon intended to distribute dangerous drugs into our community here in SuffolkCounty,” Tierney said, adding that he thanks the police department for its "investigation in this case, and the assigned prosecutors for ensuring that this defendant was held accountable for his crimes.”

Altogether, McKinnie, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of each of second-and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, as well as third-and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia.

McKinnie also has two prior felony convictions for third-degree attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in 2008, and second-degree attempted assault in 2005.

McKinnie was originally scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 8, but failed to appear in
court and a bench warrant was issued, according to prosecutors.

On March 30, a Suffolk police officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle McKinnie was driving, and he failed to stop and was subsequently arrested for unlawful fleeing from a police officer and reckless driving, prosecutors said.

Patch has reached out to his attorney, Scott Zerner of Manhattan, for comment.