Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler and Sheriff Paul Arteta have announced the arrest of Ronald Lempka and Keanu Alicea on charges of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree among other related charges.
Lempka, from Middletown, and Alicea, from Montague, New Jersey, were taken into custody following a months-long undercover investigation into cocaine trafficking in the Town of Wallkill and Montague, New Jersey.
The investigation, which involved multiple law enforcement agencies, led to the seizure of approximately 150 grams of cocaine, over $28,000 in cash, and a defaced handgun through the execution of search warrants on residences and vehicles in both locations. The suspects were arraigned and remanded to Orange County Jail without bail.
District Attorney Hoovler expressed gratitude towards the collaborative effort of the Orange County Drug Task Force, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and other assisting agencies for their commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations. Sheriff Arteta highlighted the complexity and danger of such investigations, praising the skillful work of the investigative team.