DA Hoovler: Guilty Verdict in City of Newburgh Domestic Violence Case

Defendant Convicted of Multiple Counts Including Burglary in the Second Degree and Criminal Contempt in the First Degree

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Friday, August 5, 2022, Ricardo Mendoza, 28, of Newburgh, was convicted after trial in the Orange County Court of nine counts against him including Burglary in the Second Degree and Criminal Contempt in the First Degree. Mendoza faces a mandatory sentence of state prison when he is sentenced on October 3, 2022. Mendoza was remanded to the Orange County Jail without bail following the judge’s verdict. The indictment was in connection with a series of acts of domestic violence that Mendoza committed against a former intimate partner.

As proven at trial, in August of 2021, the Newburgh City Court issued an order of protection against Mendoza in favor of his former intimate partner which directed him to stay away from her. On October 23, 2021 Mendoza entered into the woman’s home, in violation of the order, and grabbed her arm, trying to drag her out of bed. On December 1, 2021, Mendoza again entered the woman’s home in violation of the order, grabbed her phone from her hand and stole items from her pocketbook before fleeing out the front door. On January 13, 2022, the woman returned to her home to find Mendoza inside. He proceeded to punch, kick and squeeze the neck of the woman, and throw her phone in order to prevent her from calling the police. After all of these incidents, Mendoza fled the home and could not be located by the police who responded. An indictment charging Mendoza for these crimes was secured and he was returned to Orange County Court on an arrest warrant before proceeding to trial where the allegations against him were proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department who conducted the investigation that led to the eventual apprehension of Mendoza.

“Perpetrators of acts of domestic violence ought to be held to account for their actions,” said District Attorney David. M. Hoovler. “Victims of domestic violence deserve to live their lives free of the fear of those who seek to harm them. My Office will continue to prioritize the careful investigation and prosecution of domestic violence cases. We will seek stiff punishment for offenders, such as this defendant, who commit dangerous crimes in the face of direct orders from the Court. I commend the bravery of the survivors in this case and all cases like it.”

District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Assistant District Attorney Michael Purcell who prosecuted the case.

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.