District Attorney Hoovler: Burglar Who Absconded Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison
Oscar Castillo Pled Guilty to Burglary in the Second Degree in 2023 and Failed to Return for Sentencing as Directed
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Monday, November 18, 2024, Oscar Castillo, age 37, of Yonkers, was sentenced to nine (9) years in prison to be followed by five (5) years of post-release supervision in connection with his 2023 guilty plea in Orange County Court to Burglary in the Second Degree. After Castillo pled guilty in February, 2023 he failed to appear for sentencing and a warrant was issued. He was subsequently returned on the warrant in 2024 before being sentenced.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on November 18, 2017, at about 8:00 p.m., two men forced entry into the rear door of a home on Cardinal Drive in the Village of Washingtonville. The homeowner confronted the perpetrators inside his home, and told police that they wore masks, carried a shotgun, and yelled “FBI” to him. The homeowner got into a physical altercation with the perpetrators and was injured during the burglary.
Washingtonville Police processed the crime scene and collected evidence, which was submitted to the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center for analysis. DNA found on some of that evidence was then entered into the Combined DNA Index System, where it was matched to Castillo, who had previously been required to submit a DNA sample to the New York State DNA Databank.
Washingtonville Police arrested Castillo on Friday, July 2, 2021, in Westchester County, with the assistance of New York State Parole. At the plea proceedings, Castillo admitted to unlawfully entering the residence with the intent to commit a crime therein.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Washingtonville Police Department, the New York State Police, the State Police Forensic Investigation Center, and New York State Parole for their assistance in the investigation of the case and in the arrest.
“Despite this defendant’s efforts to escape responsibility for his crimes, an appropriate prison sentence ultimately was imposed,” said District Attorney Hoovler. “Thankfully, through careful police investigation and the use of DNA technology, this violent offender was located and held accountable for his actions. Criminals should know that law enforcement will not rest in their pursuit of justice and the prosecutors in my Office remain steadfast in their commitment to victims of violent crime.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District AttorneysPeter Fernandez and Christine Maggiore.
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.