Jawanza Abrams Sentenced to 28 and ½ Years

Rochester, NY- On Monday, August 31, 2026, New York State Supreme Court Justice Stephen Miller sentenced 21-year-old Jawanza Abrams to 28 and ½ years in the New York State Department of Corrections plus 5 years of post-release supervision. He previously pled guilty to Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree for his role in the homicide of Jeremiah Maddox.

On March 6, 2025, Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a store in the Town of Henrietta for a report of shoplifting. During the investigation, Jawanza Abrams was identified and found to be in possession of an illegal firearm. He was arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office subsequently submitted the firearm to the Monroe County Crime Laboratory for testing. The firearm was determined to have been used in the fatal shooting of Jeremiah Maddox on Ferris Street in the City of Rochester.

The homicide investigation, led by the Rochester Police Department, determined that shortly after 2:00 a.m. on January 26, 2025, Abrams fired multiple shots from the sidewalk on Ferris Street into a residence. Jeremiah Maddox was struck by the gunfire and died at the scene.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hogestyn, of the Non- Fatal Shooting Task Force, and Special Assistant District Attorney Ryan Mulcahy, of the Major Felony Bureau.

“Jawanza Abrams made the deliberate and incredibly reckless decision to fire a gun into an occupied house, resulting in the death of Jeremiah Maddox and leaving his family to live with an unimaginable loss,” said Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hogestyn. “There is simply no justification for this kind of senseless gun violence. Today’s significant sentence reflects the seriousness of this crime and ensures that Jawanza Abrams will be held accountable for the devastation he caused. I want to thank the investigators from the Rochester Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Monroe County Crime Laboratory, for their thorough and persistent work throughout this case. Most importantly, I hope today’s sentence provides some measure of justice for Jeremiah’s family and loved ones as they continue to grieve his loss and remember the young man they loved.”

“This case is an example of how strong investigative work and collaboration between law enforcement agencies can bring answers in a homicide investigation,” said Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green. “The firearm recovered by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office provided a critical piece of evidence that helped the Rochester Police Department connect Jawanza Abrams to the shooting that killed Jeremiah Maddox. I am grateful for the persistence of the Rochester Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Crime Laboratory, and our prosecutors, whose collective efforts ensured that the person responsible for Jeremiah’s death was identified and brought to justice.”