The People, etc., respondent, v. Aaron Steppe, appellant. (2026)

Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, New York.

The People, etc., respondent, v. Aaron Steppe, appellant.

2024-08920

Decided: June 24, 2026

VALERIE BRATHWAITE NELSON, J.P. BARRY E. WARHIT PHILLIP HOM LISA S. OTTLEY, JJ.

Arza Feldman, Manhasset, NY, for appellant. Letitia James, Attorney General, New York, N.Y. (Matthew Keller and Margaret A. Cieprisz of counsel), for respondent.

Submitted—June 2, 2026

DECISION & ORDER

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Dutchess County (Edward T. McLoughlin, J.), rendered August 7, 2024, convicting him of conspiracy in the second degree and criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, upon his plea of guilty, and imposing sentence.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.

The record demonstrates that the defendant knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently waived his right to appeal (see People v. Thomas, 34 NY3d 545; People v. Lopez, 6 NY3d 248). The defendant's valid waiver of his right to appeal precludes appellate review of his contentions that the sentence imposed was excessive and constituted cruel and unusual punishment (see People v. Lopez, 6 NY3d at 255; People v. Nesbitt, 244 AD3d 1137, 1138; People v. Myke, 232 AD3d 913; People v. Esson, 225 AD3d 786, 787; People v. Rodriguez, 82 AD3d 794, 795).

The defendant's remaining contention is without merit.

BRATHWAITE NELSON, J.P., WARHIT, HOM and OTTLEY, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Darrell M. Joseph

Clerk of the Court

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