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David Hoovler

Drunk Driver Leaving Bar Admits Causing Deadly Hudson Valley Crash Drunk Driver Leaving Bar Admits Causing Deadly Hudson Valley Crash
Drunk Driver Leaving Bar Admits Causing Deadly Hudson Valley Crash An admitted drunk driver is facing years in prison for causing a fatal crash on a Hudson Valley highway that left another person injured. Nicholle Hoke, age 45, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide in Orange County Court on Wednesday, April 24. Orange County prosecutors said Hoke, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, was leaving an Ulster County bar in New Paltz on the night of June 24, 2023, when she crashed into another car on Route 9W in Newburgh at around 10 p.m. The impact killed one passenger in the other car and seriously injured another. An admitted drunk driver is facing years …
Hudson Valley Man Steals $30K In Workers' Compensation Intended For Late Mother, DA Says Hudson Valley Man Steals $30K In Workers' Compensation Intended For Late Mother, DA Says
Hudson Valley Man Steals $30K In Workers' Compensation Intended For Late Mother, DA Says A Hudson Valley man is among two defendants accused of stealing thousands of dollars in workers’ compensation intended for his late mother. Orange County resident Bryan Dunn, age 51, of Maybrook, and Hunter Diaz, age 26, of Port Richey, Florida, were arraigned on insurance fraud and related charges in Orange County Court on Tuesday, April 16. According to prosecutors, Dunn and Diaz conspired to steal more than $30,000 in workers’ compensation checks that were issued to Dunn’s late mother. The two were arrested following an investigation by the multi-agency Orange County White Collar Crime …
Update: Drunk Driver Admits Dragging, Injuring Mayor Who Tried To Help Him In Hudson Valley Update: Drunk Driver Admits Dragging, Injuring Mayor Who Tried To Help Him In Hudson Valley
Update: Drunk Driver Admits Dragging, Injuring Mayor Who Tried To Help Him In Hudson Valley A 42-year-old man has admitted to felony drunk driving charges after injuring a Hudson Valley mayor who tried to help him, officials announced.  Orange County resident Matthew Labar of Goshen, age 42, pleaded guilty to felony DWI charges on Friday, Jan. 12, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced on Friday, Jan. 26.  Earlier Report - Warwick Mayor Injured Attempting To Help Man Who Kept Falling According to Hoovler's office, on Saturday, July 29 around 4:15 p.m., Labar was seen stumbling on Main Street in Warwick. There, he was soon spotte…
Prominent Westchester County Anti-Gun Director Sentenced To Prison Prominent Westchester County Anti-Gun Director Sentenced To Prison
Prominent Westchester County Anti-Gun Director Sentenced To Prison A prominent Hudson Valley anti-gun leader has been sentenced to prison for drug trafficking in the region. Westchester County resident Michael Rodrigues, age 49, of Yonkers, was sentenced Thursday, Jan. 4, in Orange County Court to 10 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. He pled guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler.  Rodriguez is the director of Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence (B.R.A.G.), which is a prominent anti-violence program that receives government mon…
Anti-Gun Leader From Westchester Admits Supplying Cocaine To Hudson Valley Drug Ring: DA Anti-Gun Leader From Westchester Admits Supplying Cocaine To Hudson Valley Drug Ring: DA
Anti-Gun Leader From Westchester Admits Supplying Cocaine To Hudson Valley Drug Ring: DA The 49-year-old director of a prominent anti-gun violence program from Westchester has admitted to supplying cocaine to narcotics dealers in the Hudson Valley, officials announced.  Yonkers resident Michael Rodriguez, age 49, pleaded guilty to drug and conspiracy charges on Thursday, Oct. 12 in Orange County Court, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced.  Earlier Report: Anti-Gun Leader Busted As Alleged Kingpin Of Orange County Drug Network Rodriguez is the Director of Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence (B.R.A.G.), an anti-violence program…
'Deviant, Destructive': Man Gets Prison Time For Raping Child In Hudson Valley 'Deviant, Destructive': Man Gets Prison Time For Raping Child In Hudson Valley
'Deviant, Destructive': Man Gets Prison Time For Raping Child In Hudson Valley A Connecticut man will spend more than a decade in prison for raping a child in New York's Hudson Valley. Fairfield County resident Patrick Lynch of Bethel, age 44, was sentenced on Tuesday, Sept. 26 in Orange County Court to 18 years in prison and 20 years of post-release supervision. According to Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler, Lynch had previously admitted in court that he had engaged in two or more acts of sexual conduct with a child less than 13 years old, including at least one act of sexual intercourse, oral sexual conduct, anal sexual conduct, or aggravated…
Westchester County Anti-Gun Leader Busted As Alleged Kingpin Of Hudson Valley Drug Network Westchester County Anti-Gun Leader Busted As Alleged Kingpin Of Hudson Valley Drug Network
Westchester County Anti-Gun Leader Busted As Alleged Kingpin Of Hudson Valley Drug Network A Hudson Valley leader against gun violence is one of 15 people busted for allegedly dealing drugs throughout the region. The busts, which took place in Orange County and also included the seizure of numerous guns and money, were announced on Tuesday, Aug. 1 by Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler, and numerous law enforcement leaders. The busts were the result of a two-year-long narcotics investigation that utilized court-ordered eavesdropping. Seven search warrants were executed during the investigation which resulted in the seizure of over 1516 grams of cocaine cr…
Road Rage: 23-Year-Old Found Guilty In Hudson Valley Death Of Beloved Grandfather Of 18 Road Rage: 23-Year-Old Found Guilty In Hudson Valley Death Of Beloved Grandfather Of 18
Road Rage: 23-Year-Old Found Guilty In Hudson Valley Death Of Beloved Grandfather Of 18 A 23-year-old Hudson Valley man has been found guilty of fatally stabbing a beloved grandfather of 18 and great-grandfather of five, during a road rage incident. Orange County resident Horace Duke, of the town of Wallkill, was found guilty of manslaughter on Tuesday, April 25 by a jury. According to court records, on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, Duke was involved in a vehicle crash with Joel  Laddy, age 74, of Middletown. After the crash, the two got into a verbal argument on the side of Route 17 in the town of Wallkill. During the argument, Duke stabbed Laddy once in the chest with a kitchen…
New Details Released After Arrest Made In 2003 Murder Case Of 20-Year-Old Hudson Valley Woman New Details Released After Arrest Made In 2003 Murder Case Of 20-Year-Old Hudson Valley Woman
New Details Released After Arrest Made In 2003 Murder Case Of 20-Year-Old Hudson Valley Woman With the family of Megan McDonald looking on, New York State Police laid out their case for arresting an ex-boyfriend for her brutal beating murder in 2003. On Thursday, April 20, after 20 years, state police arrested Orange County resident Edward V. Holley, age 42, of Wawayanda, and charged him with second-degree murder of the 20-year-old woman who disappeared after a night of attending a party and looking to purchase marijuana, a criminal complaint shows. McDonald's body was found in Orange County on Saturday, March 15, 2003, in a field off Bowser Road in the town of Wallkill, s…
Guilty: Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Raping Child Guilty: Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Raping Child
Guilty: Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Raping Child A man from the region is facing decades behind bars after being convicted of raping a child. Orange County resident Cecilio Navarro, age 35, of Middletown, was found guilty of multiple sex crimes by a jury on Tuesday, March 14. Prosecutors had argued that Navarro sexually abused a child beginning in December 2016, when the victim was under the age of 13. The abuse continued on and off through 2021.  Navarro was arrested by the Orange County Child Investigation Unit in June 2022, and the trial began on Tuesday, March 7. Jurors convicted him of the following crimes: Predatory sexual…
Ex-Highway Superintendent In Hudson Valley Sentenced For Sexual Conduct Against Child Ex-Highway Superintendent In Hudson Valley Sentenced For Sexual Conduct Against Child
Ex-Highway Superintendent In Hudson Valley Sentenced For Sexual Conduct Against Child An ex-highway superintendent and fire chief from the region has been sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13. Sullivan County resident Robert Hufcut, age 56, of Wurtsboro, was sentenced to 22 years in prison followed by 20 years of post-release supervision, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. Hufcut was the Mamakating Highway Superintendent and Summitville Fire Department Chief in Sullivan County. Earlier story: Sullivan County Highway Super Nabbed On Child Sex Charges, Police Say The jury found that Hufcut had, over a period of time no…
Man Sentenced In Case Of Missing Hudson Valley Woman Man Sentenced In Case Of Missing Hudson Valley Woman
Man Sentenced In Case Of Missing Hudson Valley Woman A Hudson Valley man has been sentenced to prison for the death of an area woman and then dumping her body, which was never found, in a landfill. Orange County resident Matthew Mercado, age 40, of Newburgh, was sentenced to a total of 16 to 19 years in prison for the incident which took place on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, at the Windsor Hotel in the town of New Windsor, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. In August 2022, Mercado pled guilty to manslaughter burglary, and tampering with physical evidence, in connection with the death of 36-year-old Jessica Lopez, of Newburgh. At th…
Hudson Valley Man Charged With 'Savage' Beating Death Of 3-Year-Old Boy Hudson Valley Man Charged With 'Savage' Beating Death Of 3-Year-Old Boy
Hudson Valley Man Charged With 'Savage' Beating Death Of 3-Year-Old Boy A Hudson Valley man has been charged with murder and manslaughter for the death of a 3-year-old boy. Orange County resident Gionni Sellers, age 23, of Middletown, was arrested on Friday, Dec. 16, and indicted on Friday, Dec. 23, for what authorities call a "savage" attack on Xavier Johnson of Wallkill.  During a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 27, Wallkill Police Chief Robert Hertman and Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said the attack was "catastrophic" and included blunt force trauma to the brain and massive internal bleeding allegedly caused by a severe beating. The …
Hudson Valley Fire Department Lieutenant Admits To Being Major Drug Trafficker Hudson Valley Fire Department Lieutenant Admits To Being Major Drug Trafficker
Hudson Valley Fire Department Lieutenant Admits To Being Major Drug Trafficker A former Hudson Valley fire lieutenant has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to operating as a major drug trafficker. Orange County resident Paul Smith, age 52, of Deerpark, was sentenced to 10 to 25 years on Wednesday, Nov. 16, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. Smith, a paid lieutenant with the city of Middletown Fire Department at the time of his arrest, was also sentenced to five years post-release supervision, the DA's Office said. The former firefighter was nabbed during an undercover investigation dubbed “Operation Bread, White, and Blues," in February …
Man Indicted For Fatal Stabbing Of Senior Citizen In Hudson Valley Road Rage Incident Man Indicted For Fatal Stabbing Of Senior Citizen In Hudson Valley Road Rage Incident
Man Indicted For Fatal Stabbing Of Senior Citizen In Hudson Valley Road Rage Incident A Hudson Valley grand jury has indicted a 22-year-old man for manslaughter in connection with a stabbing death during a road rage incident. Orange County resident Horace Duke, of Wallkill, was indicted on Thursday, Nov. 3 for manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon for the Sunday, Oct. 30 incident, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. Duke was remanded to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bail, $500,000 bond, or $750,00 partially secured bond.  It is alleged that Duke was involved in a motor vehicle accident with Joel Laddy, age 74, of the to…
Hudson Valley Man Found Guilty Of Firing Shotgun Through Floor Of Apartment Complex Hudson Valley Man Found Guilty Of Firing Shotgun Through Floor Of Apartment Complex
Hudson Valley Man Found Guilty Of Firing Shotgun Through Floor Of Apartment Complex A Hudson Valley man was found guilty of firing a shotgun through the floor of his bedroom and into two other apartments in the building.  According to Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler, 36-year-old Kervin Jeanty of the Orange County city of Port Jervis shot the gun after an argument with his wife, and when police responded to the scene, Jeanty was outside wearing a bulletproof vest and armed with a flare gun.  The shotgun slug fired by Jeanty pierced through two other apartments in the building and struck a toy box about one foot from a sleeping child, Hoovler sai…
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Repeated Sexual Abuse Of Child Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Repeated Sexual Abuse Of Child
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Repeated Sexual Abuse Of Child A Hudson Valley man has been sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty to repeatedly sexually abusing a victim under the age of 13. Orange County resident Byron Romero, age 36, of New Windsor, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Monday, Oct. 3, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. Romero was also sentenced to 20 years post-release supervision. Prior to his release from state prison, Romero will be registered as a sex offender, Hoovler said. Hoovler thanked the Town of New Windsor Police Department for their investigation and the arrest of Romero. “This d…
36 Nabbed In Drug Bust Centered In Hudson Valley 36 Nabbed In Drug Bust Centered In Hudson Valley
36 Nabbed In Drug Bust Centered In Hudson Valley A four-month-long investigation into drug trafficking in the region led to the arrest of 36 people and the seizure of a large number of drugs. The investigation, dubbed “Operation Final Blow” was initially started by the City of Port Jervis Police Department, and also included: The Orange County Drug Task Force The New York State Police Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team The Pike County Criminal Investigations Division of the Pike County District Attorney’s Office The Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and The investigation included the use of court-ordered e…
Owner Convicted Of Setting Fire That Destroyed Restaurant In Case Involving Westchester Woman Owner Convicted Of Setting Fire That Destroyed Restaurant In Case Involving Westchester Woman
Owner Convicted Of Setting Fire That Destroyed Restaurant In Case Involving Westchester Woman A Hudson Valley restaurant owner faces years in prison after being found guilty by a jury of setting fire to his restaurant. Zef Gjurashaj, age 60, was found guilty on Monday, Sept. 26 by a jury on all counts including arson, reckless endangerment, and insurance fraud, among others, for setting fire to Andiamo’s Restaurant in the town of Newburgh, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler Prior to the trial, Gjurashaj’s co-defendant, Marina Gjurashaj, age 38, of Yonkers, who is the wife of his nephew, pled guilty for her role in setting the fire. As part of her plea agree…
2 Sentenced For Murder Of College Student In Hudson Valley 2 Sentenced For Murder Of College Student In Hudson Valley
2 Sentenced For Murder Of College Student In Hudson Valley Two men have been sentenced to prison for the brutal murder of a college student in Hudson Valley. Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced that on Tuesday, Sept. 20, Cornelius Stubbs, age 51, and Carlos Rivera, age 49, both of Newburgh, for the murder of a 21-year-old college student.  At the time of sentencing, more than 40 friends and family members of the victim, Chelsea Debidin of Walden, were present, as well as numerous members of law enforcement representing the town of New Windsor Police and the New York State Police. The charges i…
Man Confesses To Killing Missing Hudson Valley Teacher Man Confesses To Killing Missing Hudson Valley Teacher
Man Confesses To Killing Missing Hudson Valley Teacher A Hudson Valley man has confessed to killing a missing teacher and will provide information to police to help find her body. Orange County resident Matthew Mercado, age 39, of Newburgh, made the admission in court on Thursday, Aug. 25, while pleading guilty to a manslaughter charge in the death of Jessica Lopez, also of Newburgh, who has been missing since 2019. Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said  Mercado will also help police locate Lopez's body. Jessica Lopez - also known as Yessica Lopez - was reported missing to the City of Newburgh Police Department on S…
13-Year-Old Caught Carrying Loaded Handgun In Hudson Valley, Police Say 13-Year-Old Caught Carrying Loaded Handgun In Hudson Valley, Police Say
13-Year-Old Caught Carrying Loaded Handgun In Hudson Valley, Police Say A 13-year-old boy has been arrested for allegedly walking down a street with a handgun in the Hudson Valley. The incident took place in Orange County on Saturday, July 30 in the city of Port Jervis. The teen was apprehended after officers responded to a report of a teenager dressed all in black in possession of a handgun in his waistband walking toward Church Street, said the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Officers Mackenzie Decker, Christopher Mehedin, and Manuel Medeiros responded to the area of Church Street and Barcelow Street and located the suspect, the DA's Office s…
Hudson Valley Woman Sentenced To 15 Years For Starving Boy To Death Hudson Valley Woman Sentenced To 15 Years For Starving Boy To Death
Hudson Valley Woman Sentenced To 15 Years For Starving Boy To Death A Hudson Valley woman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for starving to death a 7-year-old boy in her care. Orange County resident Leticia Bravo, age 40, of Newburgh, was sentenced on Tuesday, June 21 after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death of Peter Cucuas. In addition to the 15 years, Bravo will also serve five years post-release supervision, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. On February 10, 2021, shortly after 8 a.m., Bravo brought Cuacuas’ lifeless body to St. Luke’s Hospital in Newburgh. He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter, the DA's Office said…
11 Charged After Multi-Department Hudson Valley Drug Sweep 11 Charged After Multi-Department Hudson Valley Drug Sweep
11 Charged After Multi-Department Hudson Valley Drug Sweep Eleven Hudson Valley residents have been charged with drug-related crimes following a narcotics sweep by multiple agencies. The arrests took place in Orange County in and around the city of Newburgh on Friday, June 10. According to Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler, those arrested were charged with the criminal sale of a controlled substance including crack cocaine and heroin throughout the city of Newburgh. Over the course of the past several months, undercover investigators from the Orange County Task Force and its members purchased quantities of narcotics from…
Embattled School Superintendent In Hudson Valley Cleared Of Criminal Charges: DA Embattled School Superintendent In Hudson Valley Cleared Of Criminal Charges: DA
Embattled School Superintendent In Hudson Valley Cleared Of Criminal Charges: DA A school superintendent in the Hudson Valley will not face criminal charges following an investigation into allegations of potential sexual harassment. The Orange County District Attorney will not be filing criminal charges against former Newburgh Schools Superintendent Roberto Padilla, who had been the target of an investigation into the harassment claims. Orange County DA David Hoovler announced on Friday, May 27, that Padilla would not be facing criminal charges due to a lack of evidence following the allegations. The news comes the same week the Board of Education appointed a veteran e…
24-Year-Old Found Guilty Of Rape In Hudson Valley 24-Year-Old Found Guilty Of Rape In Hudson Valley
24-Year-Old Found Guilty Of Rape In Hudson Valley A New York jury has found a 24-year-old Connecticut man guilty of rape. Fairfield County resident Lucas Xavier, of Brookfield, was convicted Thursday, May 12, following a trial for third-degree rape in Orange County. The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred in Woodbury in 2019, according to New York State Police. Xavier had been accused of forcible sexual intercourse with an unwilling party, police said. He later turned himself in to police. “When someone says no, it means no,” Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said in a statement following the verdict. “I commend …
Man Sentenced For Stabbing Woman Multiple Times On Residential Roadway In Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Stabbing Woman Multiple Times On Residential Roadway In Hudson Valley
Man Sentenced For Stabbing Woman Multiple Times On Residential Roadway In Hudson Valley A local man will spend nearly a decade behind bars for repeatedly stabbing a woman during an assault. Miles Peterson, age 26, was sentenced to nine years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision in connection to the stabbing of a woman in the Town of Newburgh while they were on Travis Lane on June 21, 2021. Peterson, a Newburgh resident, pleaded guilty in December 2021 to first-degree assault. At the time of his plea, he admitted to stabbing the woman multiple times, causing her to suffer “serious physical injuries.” No motive for the stabbing was provided by investig…
Hudson Valley Caretaker Admits To Starving 7-Year-Old Boy To Death Hudson Valley Caretaker Admits To Starving 7-Year-Old Boy To Death
Hudson Valley Caretaker Admits To Starving 7-Year-Old Boy To Death A Hudson Valley woman has admitted to abusing and starving a 7-year-old boy she kept secreted inside her apartment, authorities announced. Leticia Bravo, age 39, of Newburgh, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, March 16 to manslaughter for her role in the death of 7-year-old Peter Cuacuas, who was kept hidden behind a bedroom behind a door that locked from the outside. Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said that shortly after 8 a.m. on Feb. 10, 2021, Bravo brought the child’s lifeless body to St. Luke’s Hospital in Newburgh, where he was pronounced dead. The investigation into th…
District Attorney In Hudson Valley Warns Of 'Alarming Increase' In School Overdoses District Attorney In Hudson Valley Warns Of 'Alarming Increase' In School Overdoses
District Attorney In Hudson Valley Warns Of 'Alarming Increase' In School Overdoses A Hudson Valley district attorney has issued an alert about a recent increase in high school students experiencing medical emergencies after vaping unregulated substances. Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced on Tuesday, March 15, that the county has seen an "alarming increase" in Orange County High School students overdosing after ingesting a variety of substances, such as synthetic marijuana and substances purporting to contain THC or CBD oils, through electronic cigarettes. Hoovler said it has become apparent that high concentrations of other dangerous substances have …
18 Arrested After Investigation Into Drug Trafficking In Hudson Valley 18 Arrested After Investigation Into Drug Trafficking In Hudson Valley
18 Arrested After Investigation Into Drug Trafficking In Hudson Valley Eighteen suspects are facing charges in the Hudson Valley following a long-term investigation into drug smuggling and sales in Orange County, authorities announced. Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler and Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden announced that they have arrested and charged 18 people who have been linked to drug possession and sales throughout the region. Several of the suspects have also been charged with smuggling drugs into the Orange County Jail and prostitution. On Monday, March 7, Hoovler announced that the 18 have been charged with crimes pertaining to the…
Ex-Husband Of Popular TV Reporter Sentenced In Hudson Valley Domestic Violence Case Ex-Husband Of Popular TV Reporter Sentenced In Hudson Valley Domestic Violence Case
Ex-Husband Of Popular TV Reporter Sentenced In Hudson Valley Domestic Violence Case The ex-husband of a popular Hudson Valley TV reporter has been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for domestic violence. Orange County resident Sean Doyle, age 38, of Cornwall, was sentenced on Tuesday, Nov. 16 in connection with crimes related to domestic violence against News 12 reporter Blaise Gomez, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. On Monday, May 10, Doyle pled guilty to the crimes of coercion, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.  Doyle had been arrested in March 2019, after Gomez cal…