District Attorney Hoovler: Gun Dealer Pleads Guilty
Morgan Secreto Pled Guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree
District Attorney’s Office to Recommend 10 Year Prison Sentence
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Thursday, January 16, 2025, Morgan Secreto, 42, of NewWindsor, pled guilty in Orange County Court to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree for having sold a loaded firearm to an undercover police officer. Under the plea agreement announced on the record at the time that Secreto pled guilty, the District Attorney’s Office will recommend that he be sentenced to ten (10) years in prison to be followed by five (5) years post-release supervision when he is sentenced on March 26, 2025.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, in 2024 the New York State Police conducted an investigation into the sale of firearms in and around the City of Newburgh. As part of the investigation, in July, 2024, Secreto sold a loaded Taurus .380 pistol to an undercover police officer in exchange for $1,000. The firearm was later confirmed to be operable. At the plea proceedings, Secreto admitted to possessing the loaded firearm.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation which led to the arrest of Secreto.
“Illegally possessed firearms are the tools of the trade for drug dealers and others intent on perpetrating violent crimes,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “It requires proactive policing to interrupt the illicit sale and possession of these guns before they fall into the hands of bad actors. While I fully support the right of law-abiding citizens to legally obtain firearms, those who illegally possess or sell guns endanger us all and will face severe consequences in Orange County.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Bryan Conway.
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.