Hoovler Announces
Guilty Plea in Town of Newburgh Residential Burglary Case
Defendant Admits to Breaking into Family Home in Order to Steal Property
Guilty Plea Comes After Commencement of Jury Trial
Defendant faces a Sentence of up to Sixteen Years to Life
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Thursday, March 17, 2022, Jorge Martinez, 60, of Newburgh, pled guilty in Orange County Court to Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree, in connection with a daytime break-in at a single-family home in the Town of Newburgh. The guilty plea was entered during the jury trial of the case, after the People had given their opening statement. Pursuant to the plea agreement placed on the record at the time of the guilty plea, Martinez faces a sentence of up to sixteen years to life in prison. At sentencing, the District Attorney’s Office will recommend that Martinez be sentenced to the maximum allowed under the plea agreement.
On December 16, 2019, a homeowner returned to the single-family residence that he owned and lived in with his wife and daughter. Upon entering his home, the victim saw that their property was strewn throughout the house and discovered that numerous items, including a laptop, a GPS watch, and money belonging to his daughter were missing. The homeowner reviewed security camera video from inside and outside his home which showed Martinez brazenly breaking the door in order to enter. The video also showed Martinez entering various rooms in the house, taking the missing property and fleeing. While committing the crime, Martinez covered his hands with his jacket and with gloves which, the People were prepared to argue, evidenced his intent to prevent his DNA or fingerprints from being left at the scene of the crime. Detectives with the Town of Newburgh Police Department tracked the vehicle Martinez drove to the home and, through further investigation, identified the defendant as the perpetrator of the crime. The items stolen were never recovered.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Town of Newburgh Police Department for their investigation which resulted in the charges. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department for their assistance during the investigation.
District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Assistant District Attorney Neal Eriksen for handling the prosecution of Martinez.
“Having a stranger violate the sanctity of one’s home is every resident’s worst nightmare,” said District Attorney Hoovler. “Through the dedicated efforts of the police and my staff, this defendant is being held responsible for his actions. While the defendant initially evaded capture before his arrest, the unceasing efforts of law enforcement ensured that this defendant will be off the streets for a long time. My office will continue to seek significant state prison sentences for residential burglaries.”
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.