Mid Hudson Times Aug. 03 2016 | Page 4

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Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , August 3 , 2016

Indictments handed down in Newburgh heroin conspiracy case

Orange County District Attorney David M . Hoovler announced on Monday , that an Orange County grand jury has indicted 24 defendants in connection with the “ Operation Punch-Out ” enforcement action that occurred in the City of Newburgh on June 7 , 2016 . All of the defendants are charged with felonies relating to a conspiracy to distribute heroin in the City of Newburgh and surrounding areas .

The 68 count indictment alleges that Earl Melvin , a / k / a “ Bugs ,” 36 , of Newburgh , was the director of a controlled substance organization that distributed heroin within the City of Newburgh and surrounding areas from at least June 7 , 2015 , through June 7 , 2016 , and that the proceeds of those heroin sales totaled at least $ 75,000 .

The indictment charges Melvin with the Class A-I felony of Operating as a Major Trafficker , the Class A-II felony of Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the Second Degree , the Class B felony of Conspiracy in the Second Degree , as well as to other charges . The indictment alleges that Melvin had at least 20 people working under him . Most of the named co-conspirators are alleged to have aided in the conspiracy by distributing the heroin on the streets of Newburgh . The indictment also alleges that it was the role of two of the co-conspirators , Ray Rivera and Angel Rodriquez , to supply heroin for the other co-conspirators to sell . Melvin is also charged with the Class A-II felony of Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the Second Degree , for selling over one-half ounce of heroin with Shawntel Chritian , A / K / A “ Sloth ,” in the City of Newburgh , on May 3 , 2016 . Melvin is also charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree for possessing a Highpoint semiautomatic pistol .

Ray Rivera , 49 , of Newburgh , the owner of the

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Newburgh Boxing Club , is charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree . The indictment alleges that it was Rivera ’ s role in the conspiracy to supply heroin for Melvin ’ s drug distribution organization to sell on the street . Christian Tejada , 32 , of Howard Beach , Queens , is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree , for having sold 850 decks of heroin to Rivera inside Rivera ’ s boxing gym . Tejada is the only defendant named in the indictment who is not alleged to be part of Melvin ’ s controlled substance organization .

On June 7 , 2016 , as a result of a 10-month-long narcotics investigation , which included the use of wiretaps and other electronic surveillance , members of the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (“ CNET ”), in conjunction with the City of Newburgh Police Department and the Orange County District Attorney ’ s Office , executed multiple search warrants and made over 20 arrests . Law enforcement officials recovered more than 56 grams of unpackaged heroin , over 1,000 individual packages of heroin , 28 grams of cocaine , over $ 8,000 in U . S . currency , scales , packaging material , cutting agents , and a loaded . 45 caliber Highpoint pistol . The street value of the narcotics seized is more than $ 18,000 . The investigation included the use of electronic surveillance , including wiretaps .

The results of the investigation were presented to an Orange County grand jury , which had been specially empaneled at the request of Hoovler to handle two major narcotics investigations .

The maximum sentence for the Class A-I felony of Operating as a Major Trafficker is 25 years to life in state prison .

Hoovler thanked the New York State Police CNET and the City of Newburgh Police Department for their efforts in this investigation . District Attorney Hoovler highly commended CNET for their investigation , given the complexity of the case .

Assistant District Attorneys Neal Eriksen and Kerry Kolek assisted in the investigation of the case and are prosecuting all of the defendants charged in the operation .

“ This narcotics investigation , ‘ Operation Punch-Out ,’ and the recent ‘ Operation Chopper ’ narcotics investigation , demonstrate the prevalence and sophistication of narcotics trafficking operations in Orange County ,” said Hoovler . “ These organizations can only be disrupted through the use of electronic surveillance , used in the context of long-term , multi-agency investigations . Heroin , and other narcotics , are destroying the fabric of our society and killing our residents , and must be fought at every level . It is no surprise that firearms were recovered during the course of both of these operations , since narcotics trafficking frequently leads to violence . It is particularly disappointing when it is discovered that respected community figures , who could have served as role models , succumb to the allure of quick narcotics profits .”

In Brief

Skoufis announces $ 1 million grant for Beaver Dam Lake

Assemblyman James Skoufis ( D-Woodbury ) announced he has secured a $ 1 million grant to repair the Beaver Dam Lake dam that has sat in bureaucratic purgatory for nine years . The award was initially pursued by state and local elected officials at the time and was offered by the Department of Environmental Conservation ( DEC ) in 2007 through the Clean Water / Clean Air Bond Act . The grant has languished in red tape since then , however , and was on the verge of expiring , an outcome that would have resulted in local homeowners picking up the tab .

The Beaver Dam Lake community straddles the Towns of Blooming Grove , Cornwall , and New Windsor .

“ This is a big win for the approximately 800 families that reside in the Beaver Dam Lake community ,” said Skoufis . “ The DEC ’ s unwillingness to cooperate with and provide information to local board members over the past nine years almost resulted in a senseless outcome ; I ’ m very pleased this was avoided and residents are going to get the assistance they were promised .”

The gridlock surrounding the $ 1 million grant was brought to Skoufis ’ attention at a May 31 , 2016 , meeting in his office with Beaver Dam Lake District board members as well as Orange County Public Works Commissioner Christopher Viebrock . Skoufis immediately got to work on the issue following the meeting .

International Festival returns Labor Day weekend

The 28th Annual International Festival will be held over Labor Day Weekend , Friday Sept 2 – Monday Sept . 5 at Delano Hitch Recreation Park at 401 Washington St . Newburgh .

This year ’ s festival will feature a carnival of rides and games , international and local cuisine vendors , craft vendors , and music by local bands and other performing artists .

The cost for vendors for the entire weekend including Friday evening is $ 150 . The International Festival Committee is also seeking donations to offset costs of tents , and sanitary facilities .

The festival will take place rain or shine . Carnival rides and early-bird vendors will begin on Friday at 5 p . m . The festivities will be in full swing on Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 11 p . m ., and on Monday from 12 till 10 p . m .

For a vendor application , to volunteer to perform , or to make a donation , please contact Regina Angelo at 565-5429 or Naomi Fay at City Hall at 569-7353 . Information will also be posted on the City website , cityofnewburgh-ny . gov .