Young Monroe Man Pleads Guilty in Port Jervis Shooting Case

John Selja Jr., 22, of Monroe entered a guilty plea in Orange County Court on November 14, 2025 to Assault in the First Degree in connection with the May shooting of a man in Port Jervis. Under a plea agreement placed on the record at the time of the plea, the People will recommend that Selja be sentenced to fifteen years in prison followed by five years of post release supervision when he is sentenced on January 27, 2026.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Mangold. District Attorney David M. Hoovler characterized illegally possessed firearms as a clear and present danger and described the defendant's conduct as senseless, noting that while the victim did not sustain fatal injuries the matter warranted significant punishment. Hoovler also emphasized that the investigation and prosecution of violent crime remains the number one priority of his office.

The plea resolves one of several high profile violent incidents that have drawn attention from residents and local officials across Orange County this year. For Port Jervis, a city that sits on the western edge of the county and serves as a hub for surrounding communities, the shooting heightened concerns about public safety, street level violence, and the presence of illegally obtained weapons. For Monroe and nearby towns, the case is a reminder that criminal incidents in one municipality can reverberate across the county, affecting perceptions of safety, patterns of policing, and community trust.

Legally, the guilty plea means the case will not proceed to trial, and sentencing will be determined by a judge on January 27, 2026. Sentencing recommendations offered by prosecutors are influential but not binding on the court. The resolution spares victims and witnesses the emotional burden of a jury trial while ensuring a lengthy term of incarceration under the terms the People will seek.

The outcome also carries broader implications for local law enforcement strategy and community prevention efforts. Prosecutors and police officials have increasingly linked prosecutions to efforts to reduce the flow of illegal firearms in the region, and high profile pleas can factor into public messaging about deterrence and accountability.

This criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The case remains on the court calendar for the January sentencing, and county leaders say they will continue to monitor developments related to violent crime and community safety.