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Wilfredo Crespo, a 56-year-old resident of Pine Bush has pled guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. This plea comes after a shooting incident that occurred on December 24, 2020, in the Village of Walden. According to the Orange County District Attorney's Office, Crespo was involved in a verbal altercation in a business parking lot. During the argument, he drew a loaded firearm and shot the victim in the chest. As the victim attempted to flee by getting into a vehicle, Crespo climbed onto the hood and shot the victim again in the shoulder.
Crespo later turned himself in to the police and admitted to the shooting. The investigation revealed that the weapon used was a modified flare gun capable of firing .22 caliber rounds. At the plea hearing, Crespo admitted to illegally possessing the loaded firearm. The District Attorney's Office will recommend a 15-year prison sentence, followed by five years of post-release supervision, when Crespo is sentenced on January 9, 2026.
District Attorney David M. Hoovler expressed gratitude to the New York State Police, Town of Crawford Police Department, and Village of Walden Police Department for their roles in the investigation and arrest of Crespo. Hoovler emphasized the importance of addressing gun crime to ensure community safety.