Defendant Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison After Pleading Guilty to Burglary in the Second Degree

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, Talmadge Leonard, age 28, of Port Jervis, was sentenced to seven (7) years in prison to be followed by five (5) years of post-release supervision in connection with his previous guilty plea in Orange County Court to Burglary in the Second Degree.

As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, just after 3:00 a.m. on April 16, 2023, Leonard, together with another individual, broke into a home in the Town of Deerpark while wearing masks and gloves.  The occupants awoke to observe Leonard brandish what appeared to be a firearm and the other individual display a knife.  Leonard and the other individual demanded money and marijuana from the homeowners, which they proceeded to steal before fleeing the home.  One occupant recognized Leonard’s voice, which led authorities to develop Leonard as a suspect.  Leonard later told police that he had entered the home.  At the plea proceedings, Leonard admitted to entering the victims’ dwelling with an intent to commit a crime therein.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Port Jervis Police, Town of Deerpark Police and the New York State Police for their investigation which led to the arrest of Leonard.

“It is every resident’s worst nightmare to have a perpetrator violate the sanctity of their home,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “This defendant’s violent and terrifying conduct justly resulted in his conviction and the significant prison sentence imposed.  My Office works closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold responsible the drivers of violent crime.  Thankfully, the victims in this case were not hurt and I hope that the prison sentence imposed in this case will offer the victims a degree of closure.”

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Kelle Grimmer.

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.