District Attorney Hoovler: Guilty Plea in Port Jervis Arson
Hui Zhang Pled Guilty to Arson in the Third Degree and Bail Jumping in the Second Degree
Defendant Faces up to 3-9 Years in Prison
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, Hui Zhang, age 53, of Middletown, pled guilty in Orange County Court before the Honorable Craig Stephen Brown to Arson in the Third Degree and Bail Jumping in the Second Degree. Under the plea agreement announced on the record at the time that he pled guilty, the People will recommend that he be sentenced to two (2) to six (6) years in prison on the Arson charge and one (1) to three (3) years in prison on the Bail Jumping charge with those sentences to be served consecutively. Zhang is scheduled for sentencing on February 10, 2025.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on September 30, 2021 at approximately 3:30 a.m., a structure fire was discovered at a building with a detached garage in the City of Port Jervis. A subsequent investigation discovered that there were at least three (3) points of origin of the fire and indicated that the fire was intentionally set. Zhang, who owned the building which was under renovation at the time of the fire, made admissions to the police that he had insurance policies on the building and had intentionally lit the fire. After being charged in 2021, Zhang failed to appear in Port Jervis City Court and a warrant was issued. He was later located in New Jersey and returned to authorities in Orange County pursuant to a Governor’s Warrant. At the plea proceedings, Zhang admitted to intentionally damaging the building by starting a fire and alsoto failing to appear in court as directed after having been previously released.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Port Jervis Police Department and the Orange County Fire Investigation Unit whose investigation led to the arrest of Zhang.
“Arson is an inherently dangerous crime, which poses grave risks to people and property,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Thankfully, this defendant’s greedy actions did not result in any injuries. The careful investigation conducted by law enforcement ensured that this offender not only would be held accountable for his crimes, but would be returned to the jurisdiction to face justice.”
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Mangold.
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.