TO: MEDIA
FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: JULY 26, 2011
RE: PRESS RELEASE – PEOPLE V JARRIN RANKIN

Today, July 26, 2011, defendant, Jarrin “Phat Boy” Rankin was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of 12 1/2 – 25 years in state prison.

On June 14, 2011 an Ulster County Jury returned a verdict of guilty against Jarrin “Phat Boy” Rankin for the crime of Conspiracy to commit murder. The sentence, handed down by Ulster County’s County Court Judge, Donald A. Williams, was the maximum permitted by law.

Rankin was one of seven co-defendants indicted for the execution of prosecution witness CJ King. Two co-defendants, Gary Griffin a/k/a “G Money” and Trevor Mattis a/k/a “Little T” had previously been convicted of Murder in the First Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

Rankin was the central figure in this gang/conspiracy indictment. Rankin was first indicted for Criminal Possession of a Weapon regarding the shooting of Curtis Williams on November 21, 2009. CJ King was present at that shooting and was subpoenaed to testify before the Grand Jury. It was as a result of his having testified against Rankin that Rankin and his fellow gang members conspired to kill him. Rankin, Griffin and Mattis are members of the Bloods gang.

“Conspiracy cases are, by their nature, very difficult to investigate and prove. However, there were a number of factors in addition to the motive that led to the clear and convincing conclusion that Rankin was guilty of this conspiracy” stated District Attorney Holley Carnright.

In commenting on this case, Carnright stated “this jury’s verdict, and Judge Williams’ sentence leave the citizens of Ulster County a little safer tonight.”