District Attorney Hoovler Details Sentence in Wallkill Narcotics Case
Ronald Lempka Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Thursday, November 7, 2024, Ronald Lempka, 24, of Middletown, was sentenced in Orange County Court to eight (8) years in prison to be followed by five (5) years of post-release supervision relative to his previous plea of guilty to CriminalSale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree. His co-defendant, Keanu Alicea, was previously sentenced to prison in his own case.
As alleged in charging documents filed and statements made in court, a months-long undercover investigation into the trafficking of cocaine in and around the Town of Wallkill via Montague, New Jersey resulted in the execution of judicially authorized search warrants at residences and vehicles in Wallkill and Montague. During the course of the investigation and the execution of the search warrants, law enforcement recovered approximately 150 grams of cocaine, over $28,000 in United States currency, and a defaced handgun. At the plea proceedings, the defendants admitted to selling one half ounce or more of cocaine.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Orange County Drug Task Force, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for theirinvestigation which led to the arrests of Lempka and Alicea. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the New York State Police Violent Gangs and Narcotics Enforcement Team (VGNET); Sussex NJ Guns, Gangs and Narcotics Task Force; Town of Wallkill Police Department; City of Middletown Police Department; and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center for their assistance during the investigation.
“The lengthy sentences imposed in this case are what awaits drug dealers who choose to sell their poison in Orange County,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “My Office will continue to dedicate resources to the types of long-term narcotics investigations that result in arrests and convictions such as seen in this case. We must continue to counter the deadly spread of drugs in our communities. We remain steadfast in our dedication to identify drug dealers and hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
The case is being prosecuted by Senior 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.