Mahopac NYPD Sgt. Makes Bail; Fights Manslaughter Conviction

By Holly Crocco

A New York Police Department sergeant from Putnam County was sentenced to three to nine years in state prison last week by Bronx State Supreme Court Justice Guy Mitchell. However, according to news reports, he was granted $300,000 bail and released, to remain free as he fights the conviction.

“He should have never been in there to begin with,” said Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong.

Sgt. Erik Duran, 38, of Mahopac, was found guilty in February of second-degree manslaughter after throwing a cooler at a fleeing suspect in August of 2023, leading to the man’s death. He pleaded not guilty during his bench trial, in which there was no jury – just a judge hearing the arguments and rendering the verdict.

Duran, who faced up to 15 years, was also facing a criminally negligent homicide charge, which was waived.

Eric Duprey, 30, died Aug. 23, 2023, after he took off on a motorized scooter along a sidewalk in the Bronx, attempting to flee arrest after he had just sold drugs to an undercover officer. Video shows Duran, who was a member of the NYPD Narcotics Borough Bronx Tactical Response Unit, throwing a picnic cooler at Dupey’s head in an attempt to stop him.

Duprey was reportedly driving 30 miles per hour and not wearing a helmet when he was struck, which caused him to swerve and slide under a vehicle. He later died from blunt force trauma to the head.

The case was prosecuted by New York State Attorney General Letitia James’ office.

According to reporters who were in the courtroom during sentencing, Duran, a 13-year veteran of the force, told the court that he “did everything he could” to assist the badly injured suspect, adding, “I never wanted this to happen.”

He reportedly addressed Duprey’s family and apologized directly to his mother.

According to New 12 Westchester, outside the courtroom, supporters said they accept the sentence, noting that officers are often not held accountable.

“He will get what he deserves,” said Hawk Newsome of Black Lives Matter Greater New York. “The court said that Eric’s life had value.”

Duran is the first member of the NYPD in a decade to be convicted of killing a civilian.

Police union leaders and Duran’s defense team criticized the outcome. Vallelong called it “a terrible message to hard working cops about the costs of defending themselves and fellow officers.”

Defense attorney Arthur Aidala said, “We’re here because it’s a police officer… not only gets wrongly convicted, but he gets a sentence that is so out of step with what’s been going on in law enforcement,” reported News 12 Westchester.