District Attorney Hoovler Announces Plea in Newburgh Shooting
Jason Brown Pled Guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree
Defendant Expected to be Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Jason Brown, age 33, of Newburgh, pled guilty in the Orange County Court to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. Under the plea agreement announced on the record at the time that Brown pled guilty, it is expected that he will be sentenced to twelve (12) years in prison to be followed by five (5) years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on July 8, 2025.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on July 31, 2024 at approximately 12:30 p.m., a male and female were arguing in the City of Newburgh when Brown and another male walked by the couple and started to argue with the male victim. Brown and the man with him left the area only for Brown to return after five to ten minutes. Upon returning, Brown used a firearm and shot at the couple, striking them both in the feet. Brown then ran away from the scene and discarded the gun and clothing. An investigation into the shooting was conducted by the Non-Fatal Shooting Taskforce, which consists of members of the City of Newburgh Police Department, investigators and attorneys with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and analysts from the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center. The Taskforce, which is funded through the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, targets the drivers of gun crimes by enhancing cases even where victims and witnesses are uncooperative with law enforcement. As a result of the investigation, a judicially-authorized search warrant was executed at Brown’s apartment which resulted in the recovery of ammunition that was the same kind found in the firearm and at the scene of the shooting. At the plea proceedings Brown admitted to unlawfully possessing the loaded firearm.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department and the Non-Fatal Shooting Taskforce, for their investigation and the arrest of Brown.
“This defendant’s admitted conduct was as senseless as it was violent,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “The use of illegally possessed firearms to settle petty disputes can and does cause irreversible harm. I commend the work of the Non-Fatal Shooting Taskforce whose mandate includes the painstaking investigation of crimes with a dearth of readily available witnesses and evidence. Their hard work culminated in this arrest and conviction and the streets of Newburgh are safer with this violent offender behind bars.”
The case is being prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney Leah Canton.
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.