District Attorney Hoovler: Defendant Pleads Guiltyto Robbery and Possessing a Shank in Jail
Jose Montanez Faces 5-10 Year Prison Sentence
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Jose Montanez, 60, of Newburgh, pled guilty in Orange County Court to Robbery in the Third Degree and Promoting Prison Contraband in the First Degree. Under the plea agreement announced on the record at the time that Montanez pled guilty, the People will recommend he be sentenced to an aggregate term of five to ten (5-10) years in prison when he is sentenced on June 18, 2025.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on October 27, 2023 at approximately 9:35 a.m., Montanez entered a business in the Town of Wallkill wearing a surgical mask, displayed a knife and demanded money. After reaching into the cash register and taking money, Montanez fled on a bicycle. Police later recovered the bicycle and a surgical mask nearby. DNA analysis of the mask was a match to Montanez. After being arrested for the robbery and while incarcerated at the Orange County Jail, Montanez was seen chasing after another inmate while brandishing a shank. Corrections officers recovered the shank from Montanez. At the plea proceedings, Montanez admitted to forcibly stealing property from the storeand possessing dangerous contraband in a detention facility.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Town of Wallkill Police Department for their investigation which led to the arrest of Montanez. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation and arrest for the case in the jail.
“For violent offenders who commit violent crimes, a significant prison sentence is warranted,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Business owners deserve to feel safe in their workplace. While thankfully no one was hurt by this defendant’s violent conduct, justice nonetheless demands a substantial consequence. I commend the careful and often dangerous work by the police and corrections professionals who helped to ensure this defendant was held to account for his crimes.”
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Mangold.
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.