District Attorney Hoovler: 15 Year Sentence in Middletown Drug cases

Defendant Previously Pled Guilty to Felony Drug Possession While Released on Felony Drug Case

Defendant Had 5 Prior Felony Convictions

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, Brive Crosske, 50, of Middletown, was sentenced to an aggregate sentence of fifteen(15) years in state prison to be followed by five (5) years of post-release supervision in connection with his guilty pleas to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second and Third Degrees.  Crosske had five (5) prior felony convictions and had been sentenced to prison on four (4) of those convictions.

As admitted during the plea allocution and in charging documents filed in court, on June 17, 2022, officers of the City of Middletown Police Department attempted to stop the defendant’s vehicle after observing violations of the Vehicle and Traffic Law.  Crosske refused to stop despite emergency lights being activated. The defendant later stopped the car and ran into a wooded area, discarding over an eighth of an ounce of cocaine, which was recovered by the police.  He subsequently was indicted and released on his own recognizance because the 2019 “bail reform” legislation severely limits the courts’ ability to set bail for felony offenses involving narcotics. As such, the charges Crosske was facing were not bail eligible.

On February 17, 2023, while Crosske was released on the case from June, 2022, members of the City of Middletown Police Department Narcotics Unit executed a judicially-authorized search warrant at the defendant’s residence and recovered 164 grams of cocaine (over four ounces) from the defendant’s bedroom, along with a scale, and cash.  He was subsequently indicted and pled guilty on both cases in May, 2023.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of MiddletownPolice Department for their investigation and arrest of Crosske. 

“While bail reform legislation has hampered the ability for judges to use their discretion in setting bail, it does not dissuade the police or prosecutors from pursuing drug dealers,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “The sentence imposed in these cases reflects the seriousness of both the defendant’s conduct, as well as the unrepentant and persistent nature of his criminal history.  Law enforcement will continue to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of narcotics offenses that spread deadly drugs in our communities.” 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alexis Gregory. 

This criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.