KINGSTON, N.Y. — Charges against a lifelong city resident were dismissed Tuesday after authorities said there was no evidence to support his arrest for possession of child sex abuse material.
Alonzo Jordan, 23, was arrested by state police on April 16 and charged with the felony of criminal possession of an obscene sexual performance by a child under the age of 16.
But in Kingston City Court on Tuesday, July 1, Ulster County Administrative Assistant District Attorney Sajaa Ahmed said there was no evidence to support the charge.
Jordan, who is Black, lived in a four-unit apartment house at the time of his arrest. He was the only Black tenant, his attorney Joseph O’Connor said. The landlord required all of the tenants to use his internet connection, he said.
No other arrests have been made, but O’Connor said the investigation remains open.
The Ulster County District Attorney’s Office withdrew the charge against Jorgan because “state police disclosed they did not find any electronic evidence of those charges,” Ahmed said at a proceeding before city Judge Philip Kirschner.
O’Connor told the court that his client’s arrest was a “horrible atrocity” for which “there wasn’t any evidence” and said his client is innocent. In an email, he said he has received no written apology from the state police or the District Attorney’s Office.
Following the dismissal, Ahmed turned to O’Connor and said the DA’s Office will work with him to correct Google search findings implicating Jordan.
State police had “no comment” on the dismissal, a spokesperson said in an email Tuesday.
In a press release issued following Jordan’s arrest, state police said it had “followed an investigation and the execution of a search warrant at Jordan’s home in Kingston after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a “Cybertip” via a “messaging application” on Jan. 17.
That press release has been removed from the state police website, although a Google search of Jordan’s name on Tuesday still brings up the press release’s headline and his last name and links to a page stating that the press release has been removed.
The Freeman has delisted its original arrest article from search engines.
Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji did not immediately respond to a request for a statement on Jordan’s arrest.
In court, Jordan read a prepared statement. “Unfortunately, being a young Black man growing up in America causes you to be trained for something like this to happen to you in some form. With that being said, nothing could’ve prepared me for the last 75 days,” he said.
Jordan continued, “My life as I know it was changed forever when I was wrongfully arrested and pursued for a crime that I was innocent of. This particular accusation (is) one that has caused me depression, anxiety and has had me in fear for my life since. Furthermore, that accusation was published in news articles and segments all over New York including more misinformation about events that happened that day. These statements were completely unfounded.”
Speaking directly to Jordan following the dismissal, Kirchner urged him not to be deterred by the stigma of depression and to seek counseling if and when he needs it. “I am without words to express the situation you’ve had to deal with,” the judge said.
“Do not ignore the warning signals. Reach out when the time comes. There’s no reason to ignore depression … but more so when you’ve experienced trauma like this,” Kirchner said.
As “a homegrown Kingstonian,” Jordan said he has “dedicated himself to serving his community. In fact, I have a history of working with and volunteering with local organizations for years. I have accolades from local government officials like Mayor Steve Noble, Sen. Michelle Hinchey, and Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado, for youth mentorship and entrepreneurship. I’m some people’s favorite bartender or barista at local Kingston staples. I’ve done lots of work creating meaningful films with Hudsy, and served on their advisory board.”
More recently, Jordan said he has worked on the local standup comedy scene. “These were the things left out of the news articles, the conversations being held while pursuing me criminally, and unfortunately, in the conversations where people decided not to support me. My family has been the most amazing support system throughout this nightmare of an experience. My family hasn’t been able to leave the house with peace of mind since I was arrested. They’ve also seen a person they love struggle with the incomprehensible weight of this whole thing. Their strength is the reason I’m here today after going through this terrible experience.”
Had he not had the support of his family and the local community, Jordan said, “It makes me wonder. What would’ve happened if I hadn’t known my rights? How many innocent Black and brown people go through what I go through and don’t have the resources I did? What can be done to protect our community without targeting innocent people? My plan is to work every day so that this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
Following his arrest, Jordan said he lost his job at Rough Draft Bar & Books on John Street in the city. He said he also lost longtime friends who stopped speaking to him.
Jordan’s mother, Kingston activist Lisa Royer, said in a texted statement that “From the moment those accusations were made, our lives were turned upside down. We lived in fear — every day, every hour — until the very last minute, when the charges were finally dropped.”
Royer continued, “And I want you to understand something: That fear? That pain? That helplessness? It doesn’t go away just because the charges are gone. Especially when the person who actually committed the crime is still out there — free — in our community. So not only did they try to take my son, they also left the real threat untouched. That’s not justice. That’s corruption. That’s neglect. That’s a broken system protecting itself.”
If Jordan and his family “didn’t know how to fight” and without “strong community relationships,” Royer said, “he would’ve had a very different outcome. Most young Black men in his position don’t make it out. Too many are sitting in jail cells right now, innocent. Too many families are grieving sons and brothers and fathers for things they didn’t do. So while I am deeply thankful my son is free — I also carry the weight of those who weren’t so lucky.”
Royer thanked “every single person” who stood by her family. “We are tired. We are angry. And we are not going to be silent. … Not just for my son, but for every family still waiting for justice. … Because justice isn’t justice if it’s not for all of us.”
Jordan was supported in the courtroom Tuesday by at least five friends and family members, including Ulster County Legislator Majority Leader Abe Uchitelle, who said he’s known Jordan for much of his life and as “a young standup comedian.”
Uchitelle said he had breathed “a sigh of relief” after the dismissal. Originally Published: July 1, 2025 at 5:17 PM EDT