Defendant Sentenced to Eleven Years for Knife-Point Robbery of Taxi Driver

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced on Monday, March 27, 2017, that, Jerry Powlus, 41, of Middletown, was sentenced by Orange County Court Judge Nicholas DeRosa to eleven years in state prison, and five years post release supervision, in connection with the August 21, 2016, knife-point robbery of a taxi driver on Wickham Avenue, in the City of Middletown. On January 3, 2017, Powlus had pled guilty to Robbery in the First Degree.

Powlus had been arrested by Middletown police officers the day after the robbery, following a foot pursuit that ended when he unsuccessfully attempted to evade the police by entering a residence without the permission of the owner.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Middletown Police Department for their investigation and the arrest in the case.

“Our community will be safer during the decade that this defendant will be in state prison,” said District Attorney Hoovler. “Robbery, whether it is committed by someone pointing a gun or a knife, simply cannot be tolerated, and my office will seek appropriate sanctions against anyone who chooses to use a weapon unlawfully. I hope that this sentence serves to deter anyone tempted to use a weapon to steal from hard working taxi drivers.”

District Attorney Hoovler commended Assistant District Attorney Christopher Kelly for his work in the prosecution of the case.