New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the sentencing of 3 to 9 years on Thursday, April 9, of former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran, 38, of Putnam County, for causing the death of Eric Duprey, a father, on Aug. 23, 2023, during an NYPD undercover drug bust operation in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx. The defense plans to appeal.

 

NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran gets 3 to 9 years for the killing of Eric Duprey during a drug bust in Fordham Manor in Aug 2023. The defense plans to appeal. More to follow. Black Lives Matter leaves the courtroom Thursday, April 9, inside Bronx Criminal Court with Duprey’s family. Video by Síle Moloney

As reported, on Friday, Feb. 6, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the conviction of Duran, of Putnam County, also a father, on the charge of manslaughter in the second degree in relation to Duprey’s death, following a bench trial (meaning no jury) before Judge Guy Mitchell at Bronx Criminal Court. 

 

Mitchell denied a stay of execution in the case. A stay of execution is a court order that temporarily halts the enforcement of a judgment, sentence, or legal order.

 

Ahead of the sentencing, as reported, Black Lives Matter of Greater New York held a press conference on Tuesday, April 7, outside Bronx Borough Hall in the Concourse section of The Bronx, and called on various Bronx elected officials to voice their opinion on the case.

Sentencing 4/9/26 of former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran for Aug. 2023 Bx manslaughter of Eric Duprey. Black Lives Matter leaves the courtroom Thursday, April 9, inside Bronx Criminal Court with Duprey’s family. V2 Video by Síle Moloney

Among other demands, they specifically requested that the politicians in question each send a letter to the presiding judge in the case and request a minimum sentence of 15 years for Duran.

 

HAWK NEWSOME, CO-FOUNDER of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York joins the mother of Eric Duprey as and her translator followed by Chivona Newsome (beige coat), another co-founder of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York, and others, as they leave Bronx Criminal Court in The Bronx after the sentencing of 3 to 9 years of former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran for the August 2023 manslaughter of Bronxite, Eric Duprey, in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx during an undercover drug sting operation. V3 Video by Síle Moloney

According to the NYPD and prosecutors with the Office of the Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation, and as previously reported, on Aug. 23, 2023, at around 5 p.m., Duran, was working undercover as part of an NYPD buy-and-bust drug operation, otherwise known as Narcotics Borough Bronx (NBBX) tactical response unit.

 

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. BLM and Eric Duprey’s family and legal team hold a press conference outside the court. V4 Video by Síle Moloney

During the operation, he threw a picnic cooler at Duprey at 2505 Aqueduct Avenue, between West 190th and 192nd Streets in Fordham Manor, as Duprey was trying to escape the sting on a scooter, knocking him to the ground.

 

Duprey incurred head and other injuries and died at the scene. The court heard that Duprey had sold a small quantity of cocaine to an undercover officer, and then other plain clothes NBBX team members moved onto the block to arrest him.

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. BLM and Eric Duprey’s family and legal team hold a press conference outside the court. V5 Video by Síle Moloney

Prosecutors said Duprey got on to a motorized scooter, apparently attempting to avoid arrest.

 

They said Duprey rode the scooter down the sidewalk of Aqueduct Avenue, Duran grabbed the picnic cooler off a nearby table and forcefully heaved it at Duprey’s head, causing him to lose control of the scooter and fall into the street at high speed. He died as a result of the fall.

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. BLM and Eric Duprey’s family and legal team hold a press conference outside the court. V6

In January 2024, as reported, James announced manslaughter charges had been brought against Duran in the context of the fatal water cooler throw, having opened an investigation into the case in September 2023.

 

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. BLM and Eric Duprey’s family and legal team hold a press conference outside the court. V7 Video by Síle Moloney

A video, also released in September 2023 by the AG’s office, as reported, shows Duprey falling from his vehicle after he was struck with the cooler and crashing onto the street.

 

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. BLM and Eric Duprey’s family and legal team hold a press conference outside the court. V8 Video by Síle Moloney

In a statement following Duprey’s death, the NYPD said, in part, “The NYPD is committed to ensuring there will be a full, thorough, and transparent investigation of this incident to determine the facts and to take the appropriate steps forward.”

 

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. BLM and Eric Duprey’s family and legal team hold a press conference outside the court. V9 Video by Síle Moloney

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, officials from the Office of the New York Attorney General (OAG) said its Office of Special Investigations (OSI) assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission.

 

 

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. BLM and Eric Duprey’s family and legal team hold a press conference outside the court. V10 Video by Síle Moloney

They said under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. BLM and Eric Duprey’s family and legal team hold a press conference outside the court. V11

Family and friends of Duprey, including his mother, Gretchen Soto, along with Hawk Newsome and Chivona Newsome, both cofounders of Black Lives Matter gathered outside the courthouse after the sentencing on Thursday for a press conference. Watch some of their comments in the attached videos.

 

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. BLM and Eric Duprey’s family and legal team hold a press conference outside the court. V12

Members of the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the City of New York (SBA), including Vincent Vallelong, SBA president, and legal representatives for Duran also held a press conference outside the courthouse, during which they said Duran plans to appeal the sentencing.

 

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. BLM and Eric Duprey’s family and legal team hold a press conference outside the court. V13

Norwood News asked Duran’s legal team about criticism voiced by Black Lives Matter of NYPD members who were on duty with Duran on the day of Duprey’s death who reportedly testified that they did not see Duran throw the water cooler at Duprey.

 

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. BLM and Eric Duprey’s family and legal team hold a press conference outside the court. V14

Arthur L. Aidala Esq., a legal representative for Duran, said the officers didn’t see this happen because they were facing in another direction when the water cooler was thrown.

 

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. The defense, led by Arthur L. Aidala Esq., members of the Sergeants Benevolents Association, and supporters speak to the media outside the courthouse. V15

At a prior press conference held Tuesday, April 7, outside Bronx Borough Hall organized by Black Lives Matter, Hawk Newsome said Duran had not reached out to Duprey’s family following his death.

 

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. The defense, led by Arthur L. Aidala Esq., members of the Sergeants Benevolents Association, including Vincent Vallelong, SBA president, and supporters of Duran speak to the media outside the courthouse. V16

During the press conference held outside the courthouse on Thursday, Duran’s legal team clarified that for legal reasons, he had been advised not to.

 

 

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. The defense, led by Arthur L. Aidala Esq., members of the Sergeants Benevolents Association, including Vincent Vallelong, SBA president, and supporters of Duran speak to the media outside the courthouse. V17

The New York Times reported that Duran apologized to Soto in the courtroom on the day of his sentencing, saying in Spanish, “I am really sorry for the loss of your child.” The outlet reported that Soto leaned forward, put her head on her knees and began to sob, while Pearl Velez, Duprey’s partner, held her.

 

 

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. The defense, led by Arthur L. Aidala Esq., members of the Sergeants Benevolents Association, including Vincent Vallelong, SBA president, and supporters of Duran speak to the media outside the courthouse. V18

Duran reportedly added through tears, “I never wanted this to happen. I pray for you and your family.” The outlet also reported that Soto told the court in Spanish that her son was “not just one more case” and that “he was well loved.” She reportedly added, “It is an unjust incident that, as a mother, I have to miss him now every day.”

 

 

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. The defense, led by Arthur L. Aidala Esq., members of the Sergeants Benevolents Association, including Vincent Vallelong, SBA president, and supporters of Duran speak to the media outside the courthouse. V19

Black Lives Matter had previously referenced 17 complaints of prior misconduct that were allegedly reported/filed against Duran, citing the following website https://www.50-a.org/search?q=Erik+Duran as their source.

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. The defense, led by Arthur L. Aidala Esq., members of the Police Benevolents Association, including Vincent Vallelong, SBA president, and supporters of Duran speak to the media outside the courthouse. V20

Norwood News has tried unsuccessfully to contact the compilers of the data reported on this website in order to validate the information. On Thursday, outside the courthouse, we also asked Vincent Vallelong, president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), about these alleged complaints, and he said they were false.

Norwood News has also contacted the Civilians Complaints Review Board to ask if they have any information on complaints against Duran. Details, a total of seven complaints with one substantiated, are attached.

 

According to CCRB, the database allows users to view the record of NYPD misconduct allegations. The CCRB can recommend a level of police discipline, with the Police Commissioner retaining final authority over disciplinary decisions.

CCRB advises as follows:

• “This database reflects CCRB complaints only. Allegations of misconduct that fall outside of the CCRB’s jurisdiction are not included in this database. The New York City Charter specifies that the CCRB’s jurisdiction includes four categories of police misconduct: Force, Abuse of Authority, Discourtesy, and Offensive Language.
• CCRB allegation history does not include open allegations, successfully mediated allegations or mediation attempted allegations. CCRB allegation history does not include allegations from complaints filed prior to the year 2000. It also does not include referrals to the NYPD or other investigative entities.
• There is a significant difference between the CCRB dispositions ‘Exonerated,’ ‘Unfounded,’ and ‘Unsubstantiated.’ When exploring the database, please refer to the definitions of the CCRB’s case outcomes.”

The page last updated date: 04/07/2026.

 

According to online NYPD records, Duran has no disciplinary records on his file.

As reported, Hawk Newsome was previously arrested in midtown Manhattan in September 2023 for protesting Duprey’s death without a permit.

 

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. The defense, led by Arthur L. Aidala Esq., members of the Sergeants Benevolents Association, and supporters speak to the media outside the courthouse. V21

While the defense and supporters spoke to the media, there were some jeers from Black Lives Matter, and Hawk Newsome at one point attempted to refute some of the points the defense were making. “We beat you,” he said in part.

Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran is sentenced 3-9 yrs on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bronx Criminal Court for the Aug. 2023 involuntary manslaughter of Eric Duprey during an undercover drug bust in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, during which Duran threw a water cooler at Duprey as he tried to flee the scene on a motorized scooter, causing him to fall and die from his injuries. The scene outside the courthouse. V22

Read some of our prior coverage of the incident and case here, here, here, here, and here.

 

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly referenced the Police Benevolent Association instead of the Sergeants Benevolent Association. This has since been corrected and we apologize for this error.