NORWICH – Two men, one convicted of possessing a stolen gun and another a repeat felon drug dealer, were sentenced to prison on Jan. 12 in Chenango County Court by Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr.

• Jose A. Ortiz-Perez, 41 of Allentown, Pa., was indicted on Jan. 16, 2013 for two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a class B felony; criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a class C felony; and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class E felony.

On Oct. 10, 2012, at approximately 5:54 p.m. on state Route 8 in the Town of Norwich, it is alleged Perez did knowingly and unlawfully possess 2 knotted plastic bags of the narcotic drug cocaine with an aggregate weight of 40.83 grams (more than one-half ounce) and a stolen Kimber Custom Shop .45 caliber automatic handgun with laser grips.

The stolen handgun's magazine was loaded with seven Blazer .45 auto rounds properly seated in the pistol.

Perez attended his plea and sentencing on Jan. 12 in shackles and orange, almost a year after he was indicted and nearly two years after his arrest.

According to District Attorney Joseph A. McBride, the reason it took so much time for Perez to be sentenced is because he did not show up to a court proceeding after his arrest and was wanted for some time for failing to appear. He also said another individual with the same name was mistaken for Perez and arrested for the alleged crimes, but the individual was able to convince authorities that he was not Perez and was released.

Since Perez is originally from Puerto Rico, his first language is Spanish, and he speaks very little English. Interpreter Anthony Colon attended court to communicate on Perez's behalf.

Perez pleaded guilty to the class C felony of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

McBride said Perez will be going to prison longer than he would have originally, because he did not show up to court like he was supposed to after his arrest. He said this is what led to the wrong person being arrested for Perez's crimes.

“I really hope you do not have any more issues with the law or you will wind up back in state prison,” said McBride to Perez through Colon.

Colon interpreted a statement Perez made on his own behalf. He said, “As a human, I make mistakes, and I acknowledge my mistakes. It is my first mistake, and I feel very bad for it.”

Revoir said although Perez's sentence may seem like an extremely long time, Perez will get out and have the rest of his life to look forward to.

Perez was sentenced to a determinate sentence of three and a half years in the New York State Department of Corrections and five years post release supervision.