District Attorney David Hoovler, Orange County Sheriff Carl DuBois and City of Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden Announce Guns and Drug Enforcement Action
In Western Orange County
Eight Defendants charged with Selling Weapons and Methamphetamine to Undercover Police Officers in Western Orange County
Goshen, NY – Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler and Orange County Sheriff Carl E. DuBois, along with City of Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden, announced on December 3, 2021, that the Orange County Drug Task Force (OCDTF) and the City of Port Jervis Police Department, have concluded a five-month investigation involving the unlawful possession and sales of firearms and methamphetamine occurring primarily in Western Orange County. The enforcement action stemmed from intelligence that the Task Force received from the City of Port Jervis Police Department, who aided in the joint investigation. Police officers used confidential informants and undercover police officers during this investigation to seize and purchase eight illegally possessed firearms and approximately a half of a kilo (500 grams) of methamphetamine, having a street value of approximately $60,000. Firearms that were illegally sold included: four firearms which are believed to be stolen, and not reported; three shotguns which were “sawed off” and had illegally shortened barrels; and one firearm identified as an AR-15 style “Ghost Gun” which was sold with high-capacity ammunition feeding devices.
As result of this investigation two search warrants were executed and additional quantities of methamphetamine were seized. Three individuals have been arrested so far. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office and OCDTF are seeking the public’s assistance in locating five additional defendants who have outstanding warrants for their arrest. The investigation occurred in the following Orange County municipalities: the City of Port Jervis, the Town of Greenville; the Town of Minisink and the Town of Wawayanda.
The OCDTF, which was created in 2015, is run under the supervision of a Senior Criminal Investigator from the District Attorney’s Office and a Senior Investigator from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to personnel from those agencies, the OCDTF is composed of police officers from other Orange County police departments. Currently the Town of Montgomery Police Department, the Town of Wallkill Police Department, and the Town of Highlands Police Department have committed to assigning police officers to work on the OCDTF. The OCDTF assists other agencies in conducting narcotics investigations, including undercover investigations, throughout the County. Some of the agencies that assisted in this enforcement action included the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Port Jervis Police Department, the Town of Deerpark Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshalls Fugitive Task Force, and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center.
Five defendants were indicted by an Orange County Grand Jury. Ashley Evans, 33, of Hallstead, Pennsylvania, was charged by Indictment with crimes including Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree and Conspiracy in the Second Degree. It is alleged that she sold a total of 275 grams of methamphetamine, commonly known as “crystal meth” and that she possessed an additional 200 grams of methamphetamine. She faces up to eight and one-third to twenty-five years in prison on the charge of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and is next scheduled to appear in Orange County Court of December 9, 2021. Due to the recent “bail reforms, the District Attorney’s Office could not request that bail be set.
Evans is alleged to have conspired with Anthony Horton, 31, of Wawayanda, and David McCloughlan, 32, of Starrucca, Pennsylvania, in selling methamphetamine. Horton was indicted and charged with crimes including Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree and Conspiracy in the Second Degree. It is alleged that Horton sold a total of approximately 30 grams of methamphetamine. Horton is also scheduled to appear in Court on December 9, 2021. He is currently remanded to the Orange County Jail in lieu of bail in the amount of $20,000 cash, or $30,000 secured bond, or $40,000 partially secured bond. Horton was eligible for bail being set due to allegations that he committed these crimes while serving a sentence of probation. An arrest warrant has been issued by the Orange County Court for David McCloughlan for crimes including Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree. Law enforcement is requesting the public’s assistance in locating McCloughlan. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at (845) 291-2329.
Daniel Cabral, 34, of Deerpark, was indicted by an Orange County Grand Jury and charged with three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the third Degree. It is alleged that Cabral sold three handguns, a .40 caliber Glock semiautomatic pistol, a Ruger .357 magnum revolver, and a Taurus 9 mm semiautomatic pistol to an undercover police officer on three different dates in July 2021. Cabral remains in the Orange County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bail, $250,000 secured bond or $500,00 partially secured bond and is next scheduled to appear in County Court on December 13, 2021.
Dustin Showers, 31, of Pennsylvania, is wanted on an indictment arrest warrant that has been issued by the Orange County Court charging him with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. Law enforcement is requesting the publics assistance in locating Showers. The public is cautioned not to approach Showers since the investigation revealed that he sold a “ghost” AR-15 style assault weapon with a 100 round drum magazine and an additional 30 round magazine as well as ammunition and may have access to other weapons. A “ghost” gun is one not bearing any serial numbers. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at (845) 291-2329.
Felony complaints and arrest warrants have been filed in the Town of Deerpark Justice Court for Timothy Search, 52, his wife, Carol Search, 54, and her son Steven Smith, 38, all of Greenville, for having sold multiple weapons to an undercover police officer on different occasions. It is alleged that on July 24, 2021, Timothy Search and Steven Smith sold a magnum revolver to an undercover police officer. On July 27, 2021, Timothy Search, and Carol Search and Steven Smith are alleged to have sold two sawed-off shotguns to an undercover police officer. It is alleged that on August 18, 2021, Timothy Search sold another sawed-of shotgun to a undercover police officer. Law enforcement is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Timothy Search, Carol Search, and Steven Smith. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at (845) 291-2329.
“This investigation is a reminder that access to the types of illegal weapons and drugs that drive crime are not limited to our urban areas,” said District Attorney Hoovler. “I commend the Orange County Drug Taskforce, the City of Port Jervis Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Town of Deerpark Police Department and all the other agencies that aided in this operation, for working together to remove these dangerous weapons and substances from our communities. The Orange County Drug Task Force works best when it collaborates with other law enforcement agencies, and I thank City of Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden and Town of Deerpark Police Chief Richard Sztyndor for working with the Task Force. I am confident that law enforcement, local governments and concerned Orange County residents will ultimately prevail in combating illegal weapons and the addiction epidemic that is killing far too many in our communities.”
Sheriff Carl E. DuBois stated: “The Orange County Sheriff’s Office continues to be a committed partner to the District Attorney’s Office and Law Enforcement to eliminate illegal guns and drugs from our communities. Unfortunately, illegal guns and drugs are linked to numerous other crimes that take lives or put lives in danger. My office continues to dedicate personnel and resources to maintain visibility and strict enforcement.”
City of Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden stated, “The increased presence of illegal firearms and crystal meth in the greater Port Jervis area is alarming. I am extremely proud of the teamwork and professionalism exhibited by the agencies involved in this extensive investigation and we pledge to continue to work with our law enforcement partners to share intelligence and resources to proactively combat the illicit trafficking of narcotics and firearms in our communities.”
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Neal Eriksen.
A 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.