Hui Zhang Pled Guilty to Arson in the Third Degree and Bail Jumping in the Second Degree
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that Hui Zhang, age 53, of Middletown, was sentenced in Orange County Court before the Honorable Craig Stephen Brown to two (2) to six (6) years in prison relative to his pleas of guilty to Arson in the Third Degree and Bail Jumping in the Second Degree.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on September 30, 2021 at approximately 3:30 a.m., a structure fire was discovered at a building with a detached garage in the City of Port Jervis. A subsequent investigation discovered that there were at least three (3) points of origin of the fire and indicated that the fire was intentionally set. Zhang, who owned the building which was under renovation at the time of the fire, made admissions to the police that he had insurance policies on the building and had intentionally lit the fire. After being charged in 2021, Zhang failed to appear in Port Jervis City Court and a warrant was issued. He was later located in New Jersey and returned to authorities in Orange County pursuant to a Governor’s Warrant. At the plea proceedings, Zhang admitted to intentionally damaging the building by starting a fire and also to failing to appear in court as directed after having been previously released.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Port Jervis Police Department and the Orange County Fire Investigation Unit whose investigation led to the arrest of Zhang.
“Justice will not rest in the pursuit of felony offenders who seek to avoid responsibility by fleeing the jurisdiction of the court,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “This defendant’s actions were both dangerous and needless and the sentence imposed reflects the seriousness of his crimes. I appreciate the work of the investigators and law enforcement personnel who brought this defendant into custody.”
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Mangold.
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.
