MONTICELLO — A Monticello man was sentenced Thursday to 40 years to life in state prison for attempting to murder a Sullivan County Sheriff’s deputy who was responding to a larceny complaint last year, according to Sullivan County District Attorney Brian Conaty.

Markell Jarrette, 30, was sentenced April 30 by Sullivan County Court Judge James Farrell following his convictions for attempted murder in the first degree, attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, criminal use of a firearm in the first degree and menacing a police officer.

The convictions stemmed from an April 10, 2025 incident in which prosecutors said Jarrette pointed a loaded illegal firearm at Sullivan County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Foertsch at point-blank range and fired multiple shots. Foertsch was not struck by the gunfire and sustained only minor injuries, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Jarrette was convicted after an eight-day jury trial. Prosecutors said jurors heard testimony from 24 witnesses and reviewed more than 50 exhibits, including surveillance footage, police radio transmissions, firearms, spent shell casings, a spent projectile, DNA evidence and ballistics evidence.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, DNA evidence linked Jarrette to the trigger and magazine of the firearm, while ballistics evidence linked the spent shell casings and projectile to the weapon.

The case was prosecuted by Conaty with assistance from Assistant District Attorney James McGlashin. Farrell presided over the trial.

In a statement, Conaty condemned the attack and praised Foertsch’s actions during the incident.

“This society and this community will never stand for an attack on a member of law enforcement,” Conaty said. “Deputy Andrew Foertsch is an excellent and dedicated police officer who overcame significant challenges in his life to obtain the honored position he now holds.”

Conaty also said Foertsch provided medical aid to Jarrette after shooting him during the encounter.

“Deputy Foertsch rushed to the aid of this villain who just tried to take his most valuable asset, his life,” Conaty said.

Conaty thanked Foertsch, his family, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office and supporting law enforcement agencies for their role in the case. He also thanked law enforcement personnel who attended the sentencing proceeding.

“I also wish to thank all of the law enforcement personnel that attended today’s sentencing proceeding for demonstrating, in full force, that such violent actions taken on their members will not be tolerated in Sullivan County,” Conaty said.