Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced that Donovan Mais, 41, of Congers, pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.
The charges stem from a March 22, 2025 incident in Spring Valley. At approximately 1:04 p.m., Spring Valley Police officers observed Mais walking along North Madison Avenue with another man. Mais was carrying gloves, from which he removed what appeared to be plastic vials and dropped them in front of the other man. The man then dropped U.S. currency beside Mais, picked up the vials, and Mais retrieved the money. Officers intervened immediately.
A search of Mais uncovered about $75 in cash and 16 vials of crack cocaine. The second man was seen making a tossing motion as police approached, leading to the recovery of three more vials of crack cocaine. Laboratory testing later confirmed the substance was cocaine.
The investigation was conducted by the Spring Valley Police Department with assistance from the New York State Police Crime Laboratory. Under the plea agreement, Rockland County Court Judge Djinsad Desir promised Mais a sentence of six to seven years in state prison, participation in an in-prison drug treatment program, and three years of post-release supervision.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 14, 2025. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney John Longo.
It seems like 6-7 years in prison for small quantities of a dangerous controlled substance is a bit excessive. However, this individual had been released less than three years ago from an earlier prison term where he served 12 years for burglary and attempted robbery, and was still on post-release supervision.