District Attorney Hoovler Announces Guilty Plea in Port Jervis Kidnapping
Francisco Ceballos-Rosario Faces up to 13 Years in Prison
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Francisco Ceballos-Rosario, age 43, of Port Jervis, pled guilty in Orange County Court to Kidnapping in the Second Degree. Under the plea agreement announced on the record at the time that Ceballos-Rosario pled guilty, the People will recommend he be sentenced to thirteen (13) years in prison to be followed by five (5) years of post-release supervision when he next appears in court on August 20, 2025.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on December 28, 2024 the victim woke up in her residence in the City of Port Jervis to the defendant covering her mouth and nose and attempting to have intercourse with her. At the time, the victim had an active order of protection against the defendant. The defendant repeatedly struck the victim in the face before ordering her out of the residence at knife-point. The defendant directed the victim to her car, threatening to kill her. While driving, the victim said the car was failing, which caused the defendant to drag her out of the vehicle by her hair, continue to beat her and slam her head into a sign post. A bystanderobserved the defendant attacking the victim and contacted the police. Law enforcement responded promptly and took the defendant into custody. The victim sustained serious injuries, including broken bones in the face and hearing loss. At the plea proceedings, Ceballos-Rosario admitted to restraining the victim with the intent to prevent her liberation by using or threatening to use deadly physical force.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Port Jervis Police Department for their investigation which led to the arrest of thedefendant. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with the investigation.
“The cycle of domestic violence has terrible ramifications for survivors,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “In cases like this one, the only sufficient way to address such reprehensible conduct is to separate the violent offender from society. I commend the bravery of the survivor in this case and hope that the resolution will grant her a degree of closure. I applaud the selfless actions of the good samaritan who, together with the rapid response of the police, very well might have saved this victim’s life.”
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Kelle Grimmer.
A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police 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.