Owen Horace Faces up to 12 Years in Prison

 Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Monday, August 12, 2024, Owen Horace, 33, of Monticello, pled guilty in Orange County Court to Burglary in the First Degree.  Under the plea agreement announced on the record at the time that Horace pled guilty, the People will recommend that he be sentenced to twelve (12) years in prison to be followed by five (5) years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on October 17, 2024.

As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on October 16, 2022 at approximately 3:30 a.m., Horace and two other individuals, one of whom was armed with a handgun, entered a residence in the Town of Wawayanda with the intention of stealing money from within.  While inside of the residence, one of the other individuals pistol whipped a victim, causing physical injury and for the gun to discharge.  After the gun went off, Horace and the other fled the scene of the crime.  After a long-term investigation, Horace was taken into custody.  At the plea proceedings, Horace admitted to knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime therein, and in effecting entry or while in the dwelling or in immediate flight therefrom, a defendant or another participant in the crime did cause physical injury to another person who was not a participant in the crime.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation and the arrest of the defendant.

“The terrifyingly violent actions of this defendant merit the significant sentence that awaits him,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “I applaud the careful work by the law enforcement officers involved in the investigation of this case.  The prosecution of violent felonies remains the hallmark priority of my Office.  We will remain steadfast in our dedication to holding dangerous criminals accountable.”

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Trial Assistant District Attorney Richard Moran.

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.