Defendant Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison For Starting a Fire in City of Middletown Multiple Family Dwelling Where He and his Girlfriend Lived

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on March 24, 2022, Larry Hickmon, 30, of Middletown was sentenced to eighteen years in state prison and five years post-release supervision in connection with a fire at an apartment complex located on Concord Lane in Middletown, on May 17, 2021. Hickmon had pleaded guilty to Arson in the Second Degree on January 27, 2022.

It was alleged that on May 17, 2021, Hickmon assaulted his girlfriend inside their apartment at an apartment complex on Concord Lane, in the City of Middletown. After the woman fled from the apartment, it was alleged that the defendant started a fire in the apartment, knowing that there were other residents in the apartment complex, including a number of children. No one was injured as a result of the fire, however multiple families had their residences destroyed.

At the time that he pleaded guilty, Hickmon admitted setting the fire, and knowing at the time that he set the fire that there were other residents were in the apartment complex.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked City of Middletown Police Department for their investigation and the arrest of Hickmon, as well as the City of Middletown Fire Department, and other first responders, who assisted at the fire scene.

“This defendant’s selfish actions could easily have resulted in death or serious physical injury to residents of the apartment building, as well as to first responders,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “The close to two decades that this defendant will be incarcerated reflects the utter disregard for human life and property that he exhibited. My office will continue to seek stiff state prison sentences for arsonists.”

The case was prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Milza.