District Attorney Hoovler: Drug Dealers in Middletown and Newburgh Plead Guilty

Frank Wilson Pled Guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree

Ray Degraffenried Pled Guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree

Both Defendants Expected to be Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, Frank Wilson, 43, of Newburgh, pled guilty in Orange County Court to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.  Under the plea agreement announced on the record at the time that Wilson pled guilty, it is expected that he will be sentenced to six (6) years in prison to be followed by a period of post-release supervision when he is in court next on July 29, 2024.

District Attorney Hoovler further announced that on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, Ray Degraffenried, 36, of Newburgh, pled guilty in Orange County Court to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.  Under the plea agreement announced on the record at the time that Wilson pled guilty, it is expected that he will be sentenced to six (6) years in prison to be followed by a period of post-release supervision when he is in court next on June 28, 2024.  

As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on March 3, 2023 an undercover officer with the City of Middletown Police Department met with Wilson and negotiated to purchase a quantity of crack-cocaine.  After the undercover officer gave Wilson money, he gave the officer the agreed upon drugs, which were subsequently analyzed at the crime laboratory which confirmed the presence of cocaine.  At the plea proceedings Wilson admitted to knowingly and unlawfully selling the narcotics.

As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on October 4, 2023, members of the Town of Newburgh Police Department executed a judicially authorized search warrant at a residence in the Town of Newburgh.  During the execution of the warrant, law enforcement recovered approximately twenty-nine (29) grams of cocaine, as well as digital scales and packaging material used in narcotics trafficking.  Degraffenried made admissions to the police that the drugs were his.   At the plea proceedings Degraffenried admitted to possessing the cocaine with the intent to sell it.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of MiddletownPolice for their investigation and the arrest of Wilson and the Town of Newburgh Police for their investigation and the arrest of Degraffenried.

“Narcotics traffickers deal in death and drive the proliferation of dangerous substances in our backyards,” said District Attorney David. M. Hoovler.  “The proactive approach to drug investigations by law enforcement serves two important purposes: to interrupt the flow of drugs into our communities and to identify, arrest and, where appropriate, incarcerate those responsible.  My Office will continue to lead by example and dedicate the necessary resources to hold drug dealers accountable for their crimes.”   

Both cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District AttorneyAlexandra Pietropaolo. 

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.