Man pleads guilty to lesser weapon charge

Sincere Thomas of New Rochelle accepted a guilty plea to one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. The charge is lower than the initial accusations filed against him by state prosecutors. Thomas now stands convicted of possessing a weapon after a prior conviction, a reduction from the multiple counts originally charged.

Police arrested Thomas on January 14, 2026, in New Rochelle. That same day, the New Rochelle City Police Department filed charges for a total of eleven counts. The original list included four counts of third-degree weapon possession and two counts of second-degree weapon possession. It also included one count of reckless endangerment in the first degree and one count of reckless endangerment in the second degree. Charges for menacing in the second degree, criminal possession of a firearm, and endangering the welfare of a child completed the initial filing.

Judge James A. McCarty Jr. presided over the hearing on November 5, 2026. An assistant district attorney from the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office handled the prosecution. At the conclusion of that session, the court ordered reports and further investigation. The judge then adjourned the proceedings to allow for these documents to be prepared.

The next scheduled court date is February 11, 2027. Thomas will appear before the court for sentencing in part TAP. The case remains open until that hearing takes place.