Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler and Sheriff Paul Arteta Announce Arrests Stemming from Narcotics Enforcement Action in and Around Middletown

Five Defendants Charged with Counts Related to the Possession and Sale of Narcotics in the City of Middletown and Surrounding Areas

Numerous Undercover Drug Sales of Cocaine

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced on February 21, 2023 that five (5) defendants have been charged with crimes pertaining to the trafficking of cocaine, crack cocaine and ecstasy in the City of Middletown and surrounding areas. The arrests are part of a multi-agency investigation and enforcement action conducted by the Orange County Drug Task Force (OCDTF), the City of Middletown Police Department and the Town of Wallkill Police Department, who were assisted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Over the course of the past several months, undercover investigators purchased quantities of narcotics from individuals in and around the City of Middletown and the Town of Wallkill. As a result of the investigation, search warrants were executed at residences in the City of Middletown and the Town of Wallkill.  During the execution of the warrants, police officers recovered quantities of crack-cocaine, ecstasy, $7,170 in US currency, digital scales and packaging material for narcotics.  Also recovered was a 44 magnum Smith & Wesson, loaded with live ammunition.

 

Last Name	First Name	Age	Top Charge	Substance
Caldwell	Victor	32	Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree	Cocaine
Robinson	Craig	36	Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance Second Degree	Ecstasy, crack/cocaine
Jones	David	30	Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance Second Degree	Ecstasy
Garcia	Belvert	43	Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance Second Degree	Ecstasy
Garcia	Henry A.	42	Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance Second Degree	Ecstasy

 

“Enforcement actions such as this one help to stem the flow of dangerous narcotics in and around Orange County,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “My Office will continue to pursue these actions and seek sentences that correspond to the seriousness of the crime.  These actions should stand as a clear pronouncement to those who plan to sell drugs in our communities that law enforcement is proactively seeking to make and keep our streets safe. I applaud the tireless commitment to these goals by the efforts of law enforcement, including the Orange County Drug Task Force and all of the agencies involved in this action.”

“The collaborative efforts of all the agencies involved in today’s operation successfully seized a considerable number of illegal drugs and an unlawfully possessed weapon off the street and out of our communities. We will continue to provide our law enforcement partners throughout the county with the necessary resources to help combat the substance abuse crisis and gun violence in Orange County. The goal is always to make our communities a safer place to live and work; we are committed to that,” said Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alexis Gregory.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police 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.