CONVICTION AND SENTENCE IN DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND ILLEGAL GUN CASE

DELHI - Delaware County District Attorney Shawn J. Smith announced that Connor Steidle, 21, of Little River, South Carolina pleaded guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class D Violent Felony, and was sentenced to 3 years in state prison to be followed by 3 years of post-release supervision on March 10, 2026. 

Steidle appeared in Delaware County Court on March 10, 2026, and the Honorable John L. Hubbard, after hearing a victim impact statement read aloud, sentenced the defendant to serve 3 years in state prison to be followed by 3 years of post-release supervision. The Court also issued full stay away orders of protection that will remain in effect until March of 2034.  

On December 12, 2025, Village of Sidney Police Officer Kevin McEwan and New York State Trooper Austin Delaney responded to a 911 call where the caller was reporting that her boyfriend had threatened her while brandishing a loaded pistol. The two officers promptly responded to the scene and confronted the armed defendant. They successfully took him into custody without anyone being harmed.  

Assistant District Attorney Susan J. Mallery prosecuted the case. 

District Attorney Shawn Smith commended Village of Sidney Police, Sergeant Austin Wheeler and Officer Kevin McEwan, along with the New York State Police, Trooper Austin Delaney and Investigator Holden Gray, for their swift response and thorough investigation into this dangerous case. “I am grateful to all our law enforcement officers. They risk their own lives every day to keep our communities safe. We appreciate all that they do!”      

Smith also thanked the advocates of Safe Against Violence for the support they provided to the victim throughout this process.