Delaware County Sheriff Blames Bail Reform for Car Theft from Jail Parking Lot

Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond is blaming bail reform for the theft of a vehicle almost immediately after a suspect, arrested for the theft of another vehicle, was released from custody. 

The Sheriff, who has been a vocal opponent of the criminal justice revisions that went into effect in the New Year, says 21-year-old Eusebia Jax-Mejia, who is affiliated with the notorious MS-13 street gang, was originally arrested in Walton New Year’s Day for allegedly possessing a car stolen in Dutchess County. 

He was released under the new law that doesn’t require many suspects to post cash bail.  DuMond says, hours after his release at 1:15 p.m.Tuesday, January 14, Jax-Mejia was arrested by New York State Police, accused of stealing a vehicle right out of the parking lot of the Delaware County Public Safety Building.

The downstate man, who reports being homeless, was first charged with felony criminal possession of stolen property and misdemeanor false personation. 

He is now also charged with felony grand larceny and was sent to the Delaware County Jail pending further court action.

Sheriff DuMond took the opportunity to again criticize the bail-reform legislation in a news release.