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David Hoovler

Child Rape Plea: Man From Region Admits Abusing Victim Under Age Of 11 Child Rape Plea: Man From Region Admits Abusing Victim Under Age Of 11
Child Rape Plea: Man From Region Admits Abusing Victim Under Age Of 11 A man is facing years behind bars after formally confessing to sexually abusing a young child in the region. Orange County resident Justin Babb, age 41, of New Hampton, pleaded guilty to criminal sexual act in Orange County Court on Thursday, May 23. According to prosecutors, Babb admitted that he engaged in anal sexual conduct with the victim, who was under the age of 11, in August 2023. “This defendant’s unspeakable actions demand a lengthy prison sentence,” said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. “It is inconceivable that a child could be subjected to the horrific acts perpe…
18-Year-Old Admits Accidentally Shooting GF During Family Fight In Region 18-Year-Old Admits Accidentally Shooting GF During Family Fight In Region
18-Year-Old Admits Accidentally Shooting GF During Family Fight In Region An 18-year-old Hudson Valley man has formally confessed to accidentally shooting his girlfriend during a family fight. Orange County resident Joseph Lightfoot, of Wallkill, pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon in Orange County Court on Tuesday, May 14, stemming from a shooting that occurred in the Village of Walden on Thursday, April 25. According to prosecutors, Lightfoot, his girlfriend, and another man exited a truck and began physically fighting with a man during a family argument over property that was allegedly stolen from the relative’s driveway. During the fight, Lightfoot pul…
Man From Region Sentenced For Possession Of Gun, Drugs Man From Region Sentenced For Possession Of Gun, Drugs
Man From Region Sentenced For Possession Of Gun, Drugs A Hudson Valley man is headed to prison after pleading guilty to criminal possession of a weapon and possession of drugs. Orange County resident Steven Bostic, age 41, of Middletown, was sentenced Monday, April 22, to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision, according to Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court on the evening of April 30, 2023, City of Newburgh Police Officers responded to a domestic incident at a residence in the City. Upon arriving, officers heard yelling inside…
Update: Drunk Driver Admits Dragging, Injuring Mayor Who Tried To Help Him In Region Update: Drunk Driver Admits Dragging, Injuring Mayor Who Tried To Help Him In Region
Update: Drunk Driver Admits Dragging, Injuring Mayor Who Tried To Help Him In Region 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…
Duo From Region Headed To Prison For Abusing Girlfriends Duo From Region Headed To Prison For Abusing Girlfriends
Duo From Region Headed To Prison For Abusing Girlfriends Two Hudson Valley men are headed to prison for up to three years for admittedly abusing their girlfriends. Orange County residents Carlos Flores-Banegas, age 31, of Newburgh, and Kevin Salaman, age 34, of Mount Hope, were sentenced in Orange County Court on Thursday, Dec. 21. Flores-Banegas was sentenced to three years in prison and three years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to aggravated family offense and attempted burglary, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. Salaman was sentenced to one-and-a-half to three years in prison following his guilty ple…
'Deviant, Destructive': Man Gets Prison Time For Raping Child In Region 'Deviant, Destructive': Man Gets Prison Time For Raping Child In Region
'Deviant, Destructive': Man Gets Prison Time For Raping Child In Region 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…
Duo Nabbed For 'Brazen Double Shooting' In Region: DA Duo Nabbed For 'Brazen Double Shooting' In Region: DA
Duo Nabbed For 'Brazen Double Shooting' In Region: DA Two men have been charged in connection with a broad daylight double shooting that left one victim dead and another paralyzed in the Hudson Valley, officials said.  Brooklyn residents Dwayne Hines, age 39, and Romaine McRae, age 39, were both arrested on Wednesday, July 12 on murder charges in connection with an Orange County double shooting that happened on Monday, April 24 in Newburgh, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced on Friday, July 14.  According to Hoovler and Newburgh Police Commissioner José Gomérez, on the day of the "brazen doubl…
New Details Released After Arrest Made In 2003 Murder Case Of 20-Year-Old In Region New Details Released After Arrest Made In 2003 Murder Case Of 20-Year-Old In Region
New Details Released After Arrest Made In 2003 Murder Case Of 20-Year-Old In Region 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…
Hudson Valley Man Pleads Guilty To Shooting Wife 5 Times in Head With BB Gun Hudson Valley Man Pleads Guilty To Shooting Wife 5 Times in Head With BB Gun
Hudson Valley Man Pleads Guilty To Shooting Wife 5 Times in Head With BB Gun A Hudson Valley man has pleaded guilty to shooting his wife five times in the head with a BB gun during a domestic violence incident.  Orange County resident Steven Lillo, age 39, of Newburgh, pled guilty on Monday, March 27 to the crime which took place in July 2021, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. The plea was entered immediately before a trial in the matter was scheduled to commence. Under the plea agreement, Lillo faces up to seven years in prison when he is sentenced in July. As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, in the early mo…
Man Sentenced To Prison In Violent Slashing Attack In Region Man Sentenced To Prison In Violent Slashing Attack In Region
Man Sentenced To Prison In Violent Slashing Attack In Region A Hudson Valley 53-year-old has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to assault in the violent slashing attack of a man who was a life-long acquaintance. Orange County resident Melfred Williams, of Newburgh, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, and five years post-release supervision in connection with his guilty plea in the May 2022 slashing of a man on Lander Street in the City of Newburgh, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler.  The victim was a lifelong acquaintance of Williams. Several witnesses who saw the slashing immediately rendered first aid to the vic…
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 Region Sentenced For Sexual Conduct Against Child Ex-Highway Superintendent In Region Sentenced For Sexual Conduct Against Child
Ex-Highway Superintendent In Region 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…
5 Drug Traffickers Nabbed In Region, DA Says 5 Drug Traffickers Nabbed In Region, DA Says
5 Drug Traffickers Nabbed In Region, DA Says Five people have been charged with alleged crimes pertaining to trafficking cocaine, crack and ecstasy in Orange County. The arrests were announced by Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler on Tuesday, Feb. 21 following a multi-agency investigation and enforcement by the Orange County Drug Task Force. The five were charged with trafficking the drugs in the city of Middletown and the surrounding area, the DA's Office said. According to Hoolver, over the course of the past several months, undercover investigators purchased quantities of narcotics from individuals in and around the Mid…
Shooting Outside Restaurant: 28-Year-Old Sentenced For Incident In Region Shooting Outside Restaurant: 28-Year-Old Sentenced For Incident In Region
Shooting Outside Restaurant: 28-Year-Old Sentenced For Incident In Region A Hudson Valley man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to shooting another man outside a popular restaurant. Hector Luna, Jr., age 28, of Wallkill, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in state prison on Tuesday, Jan. 17, in connection with his guilty plea to assault for having shot a man in front of a town of Wallkill restaurant in 2021, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. The plea agreement in the case was reached after consultation with the victim of the crime, identified as Charles Miller, age 48, of Walden, to avoid his re-victimiz…
Man From Region Charged With Murder Of 3-Year-Old Boy Man From Region Charged With Murder Of 3-Year-Old Boy
Man From Region Charged With Murder 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 …
Fire Department Lieutenant In Region Admits To Being Major Drug Trafficker Fire Department Lieutenant In Region Admits To Being Major Drug Trafficker
Fire Department Lieutenant In Region 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 Road Rage Incident In Region Man Indicted For Fatal Stabbing Of Senior Citizen In Road Rage Incident In Region
Man Indicted For Fatal Stabbing Of Senior Citizen In Road Rage Incident In Region 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…
Man From Region Found Guilty Of Firing Shotgun Through Floor Of Apartment Complex Man From Region Found Guilty Of Firing Shotgun Through Floor Of Apartment Complex
Man From Region 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…
Restaurant Owner In Region Convicted Of Setting Fire That Destroyed Eatery Restaurant Owner In Region Convicted Of Setting Fire That Destroyed Eatery
Restaurant Owner In Region Convicted Of Setting Fire That Destroyed Eatery 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…
Man Confesses To Killing Missing Teacher In Region Man Confesses To Killing Missing Teacher In Region
Man Confesses To Killing Missing Teacher In Region 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 Region, Police Say 13-Year-Old Caught Carrying Loaded Handgun In Region, Police Say
13-Year-Old Caught Carrying Loaded Handgun In Region, 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…
Woman From Region Sentenced To 15 Years For Starving Boy To Death Woman From Region Sentenced To 15 Years For Starving Boy To Death
Woman From Region 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 Drug Sweep In Region 11 Charged After Multi-Department Drug Sweep In Region
11 Charged After Multi-Department Drug Sweep In Region 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 Region 24-Year-Old Found Guilty Of Rape In Region
24-Year-Old Found Guilty Of Rape In Region 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 …