'Dangerous Criminal' Who Had Loaded Gun Outside Suffolk Store Sentenced: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — An Elmont man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after he was found guilty of possessing a defaced loaded handgun and methamphetamine outside a Mount Sinai gas station convenience store, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Thursday.

Clyves Laurent, 30, of Elmont, also faces five years of post-release supervision.

"Thanks to the careful consideration of the evidence by the jury, this dangerous criminal has been removed from the streets and will now be in prison for years to come," Tierney said in a news release. "This case highlights the dedication of our law enforcement officers, who remain vigilant and committed to public safety, even while off-duty. The bravery and quick response of the off-duty officer in this instance is commendable and integral to maintaining the safety of our community."

An off-duty Suffolk County Police Department detective saw Laurent at 1:20 a.m. Feb. 11, 2023, who matched the description of a man wanted for the robbery of a smoke shop that occurred a week earlier at a Sunoco gas station in Mount Sinai, investigators said. The detective watched Laurent enter the gas station’s convenience store wearing a ski mask and then quickly exit without purchasing anything, officials said.

When the detective approached Laurent, he observed a bulge in Laurent’s pants which appeared to be a firearm, authorities said. Laurent became combative and refused to keep his hands away from his waistband, prosecutors said.

The detective called for assistance, and when officers arrived, they attempted to frisk Laurent for
weapons, but he tried to flee, the DA said.

After Laurent was placed in custody, the detective removed a defaced Glock handgun from Laurent’s groin area, officials said.

Laurent was found to be in possession of methamphetamine at the Suffolk County Police Department Sixth Precinct while being processed for the arrest, authorities said.

Laurent was convicted on April 18 of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Additionally, in 2010, Laurent was previously convicted of second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon, Tierney said.

Laurent was represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society.