Guilty Pleas Entered in Wallkill Narcotics Trafficking Case

Posted by
1 min read
June 29, 2024

WALLKILL, NY — Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced the successful conclusion of a significant narcotics investigation resulting in guilty pleas from two men involved in cocaine trafficking. On June 24, 2024, Ronald Lempka, 23, of Middletown, NY, and Keanu Alicea, 29, of Montague, NJ, pleaded guilty in Orange County Court to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree.

The pleas are part of a plea agreement where the prosecution will recommend sentences of nine years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. However, the court has capped the sentencing at seven years. Additionally, both defendants are expected to forfeit any proceeds or instrumentalities related to their criminal activities.

This case stemmed from a months-long undercover investigation that targeted the trafficking of cocaine between Montague, NJ, and the Town of Wallkill, NY. Law enforcement officers executed several search warrants, leading to the seizure of about 150 grams of cocaine, over $28,000 in cash, and a defaced handgun. During the plea proceedings, Lempka and Alicea admitted to selling at least half an ounce of cocaine.

District Attorney Hoovler expressed gratitude towards the various law enforcement agencies involved, including the Orange County Drug Task Force, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and several other local and state agencies. He emphasized the importance of dedicated investigations in disrupting high-level narcotics trafficking and reaffirmed his office’s commitment to combating drug-related crimes.

The sentencing for Lempka and Alicea is scheduled for September 18, 2024. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alexis Gregory.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Don't Miss