District Attorney Hoovler: State Prison Sentence inMiddletown Shooting Case

Middletown Man Sentenced to 12 Years to Life in Prison

Defendant Previously Pled Guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Monday, June 26, 2023, Wayne Lewis, age 36, of Middletown, was sentenced to twelve (12) years to life in prison in connection with his previous guilty plea in Orange County Court before the Honorable Craig Stephen Brown to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.  Lewis was also sentenced to a concurrent term of nine (9) years in prison relating to his plea to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.  Because of his criminal history, which includes two prior violent felony convictions, Lewis was found to be a persistent violent felony offender which resulted in the maximum term of his sentence being life imprisonment.  

As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on December 21, 2022, Lewis and a co-defendant were seen on surveillance video in the area of Park Circle in the City of Middletown.  There, Lewis was seen handing a gun to the co-defendant who proceeded to shoot another man, striking him in the leg and causing non-fatal injuries.  Subsequent investigation linked Lewis to the incident and led to his arrest.  At the plea, Lewis admitted to attempting to possess the loaded firearm which was used in the shooting.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Middletown Police Department for their investigation which led to the arrest of Lewis.  District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the New York State Police and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center for their assistance with the investigation.

“Persistently violent offenders drive serious crime in the County,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Such offenders must be identified, arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment to keep our streets safe.  Our law enforcement partners work closely with my Office to ensure that these drivers of crime are held responsible.  I commend the dedicated work of the officers and prosecutors who handled this case and saw it through to its appropriate conclusion.  We will continue to pursue lengthy sentences for those who illegally carry and use dangerous weapons.”

The case is being prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Milza.

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.