DA Hoovler Announces Guilty Plea in Arson Case

January 28, 2022

DA Hoovler Announces Guilty Plea in Arson Case

Defendant Admits Starting a Fire in City of Middletown Multiple Family Dwelling
Where He and his Girlfriend Lived

District Attorney to Recommend Sentence of 22 Years in State Prison

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Thursday, January 27, 2022, Larry Hickmon, 30, Middletown, pleaded guilty in Orange County Court to Arson in the Second Degree in connection with a fire at an apartment complex located on Concord Lane in Middletown, on May 17, 2021.

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. Pursuant to the plea agreement placed on the record at the time that Hickmon pleaded guilty, the District Attorney’s Office will recommend that Hickmon be sentenced to 22 years in state prison when he is sentenced on March 24, 2022. The County Court Judge indicated that Hickmon would be sentenced to no more than 18 years in state prison.

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.

“The utter disregard for human life and property exhibited in this case is appalling.,” said District Attorney David. M. Hoovler. “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. My office will continue to seek stiff state prison sentences for arsonists.”

The case is being prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Milza.

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.