District Attorney Hoovler Announces Plea in Newburgh Gun Case
Ernie Prospere Pled Guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree
Defendant Faces 6 Year Prison Sentence
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Monday, January 27, 2025, Ernie Prospere, 50, of Newburgh, pled guilty in Orange County Court to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. Under the plea agreement announced on the record at the time that Prospere pled guilty, it is expected that he will be sentenced to six (6) years in prison to be followed by five (5) years post-release supervision when he is sentenced on April 3, 2025.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, police responded to a 911 call of an individual with a gun at a location in the City of Newburgh. When the police arrived at the residence, they saw Prospere, who matched the description of the individual. Prospere ran inside of the residence and hid a gun, which the police recovered. The firearm was later confirmed to be both loaded and operable. At the plea proceedings, Prospere admitted to attempting to possess the loaded firearm.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department for their investigation which led to the arrest of Prospere.
“We see, time and again, that dangerous, loaded firearms are found to be illegally possessed by recidivist offenders,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Through proactive and responsive policing, as well as focused prosecution, we can ensure that these offenders are held accountable for their crimes. Law enforcement will continue the zealous pursuit of illegally possessed guns before they can be used by criminals in perpetrating violent crimes.”
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Richard Giordano.
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