Shots Fired At Lake Leads To Jail For Dealer Found With Cocaine, Narcotics Packaging Material, Cash

NEWBURGH, NY — Reports of gunfire at a quiet fishing spot, led police to reel in a drug dealer.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that 30-year-old Steven Wolfe, of Newburgh, was sentenced on Monday to an aggregate term of nine years in prison to be followed by five years of post-release supervision, after previously pleading guilty to second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and third-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance.

According to court documents, on October 16, at 5:55 a.m., City of Newburgh Police Department officers responded to a location near Crystal Lake after receiving a report about shots fired.

At the scene, police saw a car driving away. When officers pulled the car over, they saw a loaded .45 caliber pistol on the driver's seat near Wolfe.

Officers also found crack cocaine and cash on Wolfe. Inside the vehicle, they found additional cocaine, narcotics packaging material, and more cash.

During plea proceedings, Wolfe admitted to possessing the loaded firearm, and to attempting to possess cocaine with the intent to sell it.

DA Hoovler thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department for their investigation which led to the arrest of Wolfe.

"Time and again we find deadly weapons in the hands of drug dealers," Hoovler said. "My Office maintains a laser like focus on prosecuting both narcotics offenses and the illegal possession and use of guns because of the carnage they both bring wherever they are found. The sentence imposed in this case highlights the seriousness of the defendant's admitted conduct as well as the commitment of law enforcement to make and keep our communities safe."