DA Hoovler Announces 9 to 11 Year State Prison Sentence in City of Newburgh Domestic Violence Case
Defendant Previously Convicted After Trial of Multiple Counts Including Burglary in the Second Degree and Criminal Contempt in the First Degree
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Monday, October 3, 2022, Ricardo Mendoza, 28, of Newburgh, was sentenced in Orange County Court to nine (9) to eleven (11) years in state prison to be followed by five (5) years of post release supervision in connection with his conviction after trial of nine counts against him including Burglary in the Second Degree and Criminal Contempt in the First Degree. The indictment was in connection with a series of acts of domestic violence that Mendoza committed against a former intimate partner.
As proven at trial, in August of 2021, the Newburgh City Court issued an order of protection against Mendoza in favor of his former intimate partner which directed him to stay away from her. On October 23, 2021 Mendoza entered into the woman’s home, in violation of the order, and grabbed her arm, trying to drag her out of bed. On December 1, 2021, Mendoza again entered the woman’s home in violation of the order, grabbed her phone from her hand and stole items from her pocketbook before fleeing out the front door. On January 13, 2022, the woman returned to her home to find Mendoza inside. He proceeded to punch, kick and squeeze the neck of the woman, and throw her phone in order to prevent her from calling the police. After all of these incidents, Mendoza fled the home and could not be located by the police who responded. An indictment charging Mendoza for these crimes was secured and he was returned to Orange County Court on an arrest warrant before proceeding to trial where the allegations against him were proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department who conducted the investigation that led to the eventual apprehension of Mendoza.
“The cycle of domestic violence ends when perpetrators, such as this, are held to account for their actions,” said District Attorney David. M. Hoovler. “I commend the strength and bravery of the survivor in this case who deserves to live her life free of the fear of this defendant. As October commemorates Domestic Violence Awareness month, I hope that the dedicated efforts of the police and prosecutor in this case helps to shed a light on the devastating pattern of behavior that so often happens in darkness. My Office will continue to prioritize the careful investigation and prosecution of domestic violence cases.”
District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Assistant District Attorney Michael Purcell who prosecuted the case.
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.