MONTICELLO, NY—Sullivan County District Attorney Meagan K. Galligan announced that Tyrell Chandler, 30, of Monticello, was sentenced today before the Sullivan County Court to 12 years in prison, plus 5 years of post-release supervision, for shooting another man last year in the Village of Liberty. Liberty Police responded to a 911 call at the Knights Inn at about 10 PM on May 10, 2020, and discovered a male victim bleeding profusely; he was transported to Westchester Medical Center and treated for a serious gunshot wound. Chandler ultimately pled guilty before Sullivan County Court Judge Jim Farrell to Assault in the First Degree on April 27, 2021. This morning, Galligan appeared before the Court and recommended the 12-year sentence, noting Chandler’s history of violence, gang affiliation, and the circumstances of this case, which included Chandler’s attempt to collect a significant drug debt from his victim immediately before shooting him.

Galligan said, “Drug distribution poses not only a direct threat to the health and safety of those suffering from addiction, but also begets this kind of gun violence in our communities at the hands of those not authorized to possess firearms. Actions like this endanger not only the lives of those who engage in this dangerous conduct, but also the lives of first responders and police, and will not be tolerated in Sullivan County.” Galligan thanked Village of Liberty Police Chief Steven D’Agata and Detective Mark Hess, who led this investigation, as well as the various police agencies who assisted. Executive Assistant District Attorney Steven Goldberg prosecuted the case with Galligan.