Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, Wayne Lewis, age 36, of Middletown, pled guilty in Orange County Court before the Honorable Craig Stephen Brown to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.  Under the plea agreement announced on the record at the time that Lewis pled guilty, it is anticipated that he will be sentenced to twelve (12) years to life in prison when he is sentenced on June 26, 2023.  

As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on December 21, 2022, Lewis and a co-defendant were seen on surveillance video in the area of Park Circle in the City of Middletown.  There, Lewis was seen handing a gun to the co-defendant who proceeded to shoot another man, striking him in the leg and causing non-fatal injuries.  Subsequent investigation linked Lewis to the incident and led to his arrest.  At the plea, Lewis admitted to attempting to possess the loaded firearm which was used in the shooting.  Because of his criminal history, which includes two prior violent felony convictions, Lewis faces a mandatory prison sentence, the maximum term of which shall be life imprisonment.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Middletown Police Department for their investigation which led to the arrest of Lewis.  District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the New York State Police and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center for their assistance with the investigation.

“Much of the most violent crime in Orange County is perpetrated by recidivists carrying and using illegal guns,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “It is only through the dogged pursuit of justice by police and prosecutors that these drivers of violent crime are identified, arrested and taken off the streets.   I applaud the hard work of the investigators in this case who have ensured that this defendant is unable to harm others for the foreseeable future.  This case is yet another example of how my Office is laser focused on addressing violent crime and illegal weapon possession and use.”

The case is being prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Milza.

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.