Samuel Rodriguez Pled Guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that Samuel Rodriguez, 32, of Middletown, was sentenced in Orange County Court to six (6) years in prison to be followed by five (5) years of post-release supervision relative to his previous guilty plea to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on March 1, 2025 at approximately 6:00 p.m., the City of Middletown Police Department was dispatched to a diner in the City for reports of an erratic man in the bathroom who refused to leave. The owner of the diner told the responding officers that the man was in the bathroom for a long time and refused to come out. When the police ordered the man to leave, the defendant emerged and left the establishment. The police observed drug paraphernalia and a gun holster left in the bathroom where the Rodriguez was. When Rodriguez was later stopped by police, he was found to be carrying a bag which contained a loaded handgun. At the plea proceedings, Rodriguez admitted to illegally possessing the loaded firearm.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Middletown Police for their investigation which led to the arrest of the defendant.
“Dangerous firearms do not belong in the hands of those criminals who have no legal right to carry them,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “We see, every day, the terrible consequences of illegally possessed firearms used by dangerous criminals. Our message is clear, if you choose to illegally possess a loaded gun in Orange County, you will be held accountable and you will go to prison. We will not cease in our pursuit of gun crimes and the criminals who commit them.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Peter Fernandez.
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.
