Eric Williams Convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Related Charges
Defendant Faces up to 15 Years in Prison
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Friday, October 2, 2026, Eric Williams, age 53, of Newburgh was convicted after a jury trial before the Honorable Craig Stephen Brown in the Orange County Court of all charges against him, including two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree. Willaims faces up to fifteen (15) years in prison when he is scheduled to be sentenced on December 16, 2026. Williams was remanded to the Orange County Jail without bail following the jury’s verdict.
As alleged at trial, on April 15, 2026 at approximately 2:00 p.m., members of the New York State Police observed a motor vehicle speeding in the area of Washington Street in the City of Newburgh. When the police attempted to conduct a car stop by activating the lights and sirens on the patrol car, the suspect vehicle did not pull over and led the police on a pursuit by speeding away, failing to yield or to stop at stop signs. The vehicle drove the wrong way down a one-way street before stopping. Williams got out of the car and ran from the police. During the foot pursuit, police observed Williams enter a residence where he was ultimately taken into custody. An eyewitness saw the foot pursuit and observed Williams throw a plastic bag over a fence, which was later recovered by the police. Inside of the bag was a significant quantity of fentanyl.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation which resulted in the defendant’s arrest. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department for their assistance during the investigation.
District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Assistant District Attorneys Peter Fernandez and Ralph Anthony for handling the prosecution of Williams.
“This repeat offender endangered everyone in Newburgh by his demonstrated intent to distribute fentanyl and then by his dangerous efforts to flee the police,” said District Attorney Hoovler. “I commend the policework done in this case that ensured this defendant could not escape responsibility for his crimes. We will continue to pursue dangerous drugs and those recidivist offenders who seek to spread their poison in Orange County.”
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.
