Editor’s Note: The following is a submission by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.
Here is a brief update on some of the events that occurred recently in the Chester County DA’s Office:
Phoenixville Man Pleads Guilty to Third Degree Murder
On March 20, 2026, Holden Hoffsis, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to Murder of the Third Degree before the Honorable Sarah Black. The plea, which was reached in consultation with the victim’s family and accepted by the Judge, caused the Defendant to be sentenced to 12.5-25 years in state prison. The Defendant was originally arrested and charged in November of 2024, after shooting and killing the 22-year-old victim, Daniel Gray.
The case stemmed from the incident on November 8, 2024, at 3:27 a.m., when the Defendant called 9-1-1 and reported that he had just accidentally shot his friend. Officers from the Schuylkill Township Police Department, along with EMS personnel, responded within minutes to the scene and found the victim lifeless on his back with a single gunshot wound to the middle of his chest. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene. Detectives determined that the Defendant had removed a revolver from his gun safe and repeatedly loaded and unloaded it while he and the victim played Fortnite, consumed alcohol, smoked marijuana, and ingested cocaine. The Defendant told investigators that he kept the firearm nearby for protection and that he had been handling it while playing Fortnite. After losing a round of the game, the Defendant stood up to confront the victim, and while facing
him, extended his arm while holding the firearm, put the gun to the center of the victim’s chest, said “bang,” and pulled the trigger.
District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said, “This was a difficult and emotional case. I am proud of the investigators and prosecutors who worked with Mr. Gray’s family to hold the Defendant accountable for this senseless murder.”
Coatesville Man Sentenced to 8-16 Years for Shooting at—and Missing—Four People
On March 30, 2026, 23-year-old Damonte Reason, of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 8-16 years before the Honorable Patrick C. Carmody. Defendant Reason was charged with Aggravated Assault and Discharging a Firearm into an Occupied Structure, and as part of a separate case, Possession with the Intent to Deliver a controlled substance.
This sentencing stemmed from the incident in July of 2023, when the Defendant began firing multiple shots at four individuals who were standing on a porch on the 300 Block of Charles St, Coatesville. The Defendant was wearing all black, with visible blue gloves, and fled the scene shortly after firing at the individuals. City of Coatesville Police officers who responded to the scene were able to locate eight caliber casings on the sidewalk in front of the residence. Officers were also able to tie the Defendant to the crime scene with DNA evidence.
District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said, “Shooting guns at people means that you are going to be investigated, arrested, and sent to state prison. The Coatesville Police Department did great work on this case and together we made sure that this Defendant was justly punished for endangering the community.”
Oxford Man Convicted of Stalking and Harassment
On March 13, Defendant John V. Kearney, a 28-year-old Oxford resident, was convicted of Stalking and Harassment after a jury trial before the Honorable Allison Bell Royer. The Defendant had a long history of stalking the victim and continued to pursue her while serving a prison sentence by sending her letters.
In 2018, the Defendant was originally arrested for breaking into the victim’s home at night and pled guilty to Defiant Trespass and Harassment. In 2019, the Defendant followed the victim in broad daylight, violating the no-contact orders set in place by the court, and made the victim feel threatened. Defendant Kearney pled guilty to Misdemeanor Stalking and Harassment. Again in 2020, the Defendant
tracked the victim to a residence in the middle of the night and attempted to contact the victim, he then pleaded guilty to Felony Stalking and Harassment. The Defendant was released from prison in 2023 but was re-arrested after attempting to locate the victim and was sent back to Chester County Prison. While in prison the Defendant continuously wrote letters to the victim and attempted to call her over 236 times between March 7 and May 12, 2024.
The Defendant was convicted of eleven counts of Stalking and other related charges. He will be sentenced at a later date.
