Orange County District Attorney David M. HoovlerDescribes the Remarkable Work of the Hudson Valley Arson and Explosives Task Force in Year One
Regional Initiative Created in Conjunction with the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives in 2024 to Facilitate Criminal Prosecution of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Cases
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced the resounding success and productivity of the work done in the first year of the Hudson Valley Arson and Explosives Task Force, in conjunction with the support of local law enforcement, fire personnel, and agency partners. This regional initiative was created in 2024 to facilitate the criminal prosecution of fire, arson, and explosives cases and to assist our law enforcement and agency partners in their efforts to protect the safety of over 400,000 residents amid increased fire activity in the region, as well as to serve as a resource to assist adjacent counties. The current membership of the Task Force includes the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (“ATF”), the Orange County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit, the Town of Montgomery Police Department, the Town of Woodbury Police Department, the Town of Warwick Police Department, and the Orange County Division of Fire Services. The Task Force will continue to grow with additional agencies and resources to support the work of the regional initiative.
The trained experts and experienced prosecutors who serve on the Task Force are ready to respond to and support local law enforcement, fire personnel, and agency partners on priority fire calls for designated call out criteria, such as major commercial fires, house of worship fires, mass casualty incidents involving fire or explosion, reproductive care center fires, government property fires and any incident that has a significant impact onthe community or public safety and is beyond the capacity of local resources. Additionally, the Task Force is available upon request by any fire or police agency for any specialty or expert assistance.
The Task Force has provided ongoing training for area emergency service providers with Fire Investigation duties. In a first-of-its-kind free training with six-month curriculum by subject matter experts and ATF personnel, the Task Force servedto build critical skillsets in arson investigation over time and to help fire investigation personnel meet the new legal standard for criminal prosecutions. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office and ATF are able to provide ongoing training for law enforcement and emergency service providers with fire investigation duties and all our agency partners involved in fire investigation. The goal is to improve the quality of Fire Investigations and Arson Prosecutions in the Hudson Valley and to help keep residents in the region safe.
In the first year of operation, the Task Force’s work included:
• 51 total requests for assistance
• 20 requests for technical assistance, case reviews, policy reviews, policy drafts, insurance workups, expert opinion, etc.
• 31 callouts for assistance at fire scenes
• 98% determination rate (national average is 74%)
• 84 % incendiary determination rate (national average is 28%)
• 300 % increase in detected Arsons in Orange County alone
• Accounts for approximately 15% of all reported arsons in New York State (including NYC)-(based upon 2021-2024 statistics)
• 16 arrests to date
• 19 Incendiary
• 85 % closure to date with arrest of incendiary fires
• Arrest classes:
o 13 adults
o 3 juvenile (20 %) (national average is 3%)
• 9 death investigations, 3 of which were homicides
• 11 search warrants applied for, affiant statements given or executed
Orange County only:
• 13 requests for technical assistance
• 24 callouts
• 12 Incendiary
• 11 arrests
Out county / regional only:
• 7 requests for technical assistance
• 7 callouts
• 4 incendiary (including double homicide)
• 5 arrests
Education outreach:
• Over 200 police / fire personnel in last year)
• Instructed 50 police officers December 2024 seminar, resulting in numerous requests for assistance
• 6 month Continuing course of instruction 50 fire / police investigators through June 2025, resulting in increased effectiveness of local o & c teams, as well as multiple requests for assistance
• Instructed 50 Fire Investigative personnel Spring 20205 seminar, 50 + enrolled
• Basic Course for police recruits
• Supervisors school
• Evidence tech school
District Attorney Hoovler said, “The Hudson Valley Arson and Explosives Task Force has been a resounding success. As a former Arson Prosecutor of the Year, I know the challenges posed to law enforcement and prosecutors by arson cases. The remarkable teamwork shown by the members of the Task Force not only significantly enhances the safety of our communities, but also sets the standard for the professional investigation and prosecution of these cases. We know that successful criminal prosecutions deter future arson and we are, now more than ever, better equipped to achieve such success. I thank the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms &Explosives for their partnership, as well as the dedication of all of the professional members of the Task Force. We commit to remaining at the forefront of arson prosecution.”
ATF NY SAC Bryan Miller said, “This one-year milestone reflects the power of proactive collaboration. Through joint trainings, shared expertise, and coordinated investigations, we’ve strengthened our ability to hold violent offenders and arsonists accountable. The commitment shown by all agencies involved in the Hudson Valley Arson and Explosives Task Force is a model of how working together at all levels can truly enhance public safety. We are proud to stand alongside the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and our partner agencies. The willingness of agencies at the local, state, and federal level to work together in pursuit of justice is both admirable and essential. Together, we have shown what is possible when shared purpose meets action. We look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead to keep our communities safe.”
Any police or fire agencies who have questions about the Task Force are invited to contact Task Force Officer-in- Charge Vincent Spampinato by calling (845) 923-3677, or sending him an email at vspampinato@orangecountygov.com .
Any Assistant District Attorneys who have questions about participating in the regional task force are invited to contact Hudson Valley Arson and Explosives Task Force, Chief, ADA Amanda M. Bettinelli by calling (845) 360-6823, or sending heran email at abettinelli@orangecountygov.com.