GOSHEN – Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler’s office had a busy week in court, announcing three jury trial convictions involving a Middletown murder, a Newburgh fentanyl case and a career burglar.

On Friday, a jury convicted Sheldon Paul, 42, of Middletown, of two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the 2019 killing of a man inside his Middletown residence.

Paul faces 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced Jan. 21, 2027. He was remanded to the Orange County Jail without bail following the verdict.

Also Friday, a jury convicted Eric Williams, 53, of Newburgh, of two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree unlawful fleeing of a police officer in a motor vehicle.

The case stemmed from an April 15 pursuit in Newburgh. Prosecutors said Williams fled from state police, drove the wrong way on a one-way street and later ran from his vehicle. An eyewitness reported seeing Williams throw a plastic bag over a fence. Police recovered the bag and found a significant quantity of fentanyl inside.

Williams faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 16 and was remanded to the Orange County Jail without bail.

The convictions followed the Sept. 24 conviction of Jorge Martinez, 65, of Newburgh, on burglary and related charges stemming from a 2019 residential burglary in the Town of Newburgh.

Prosecutors said Martinez broke into the home and stole a laptop, GPS watch and money. His conviction was his 11th and 12th felony convictions, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Martinez faces up to 25 years to life as a persistent felony offender when he is sentenced Dec. 21.

Hoovler credited prosecutors and law enforcement agencies involved in the cases.

The three convictions involved cases dating from 2019 to 2026 and included murder, drug possession, fleeing police and burglary charges.

“I am extremely proud of the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of our entire staff,” Hoovler said. “These results reflect our continued commitment to seeking justice, holding offenders accountable, and protecting the people of Orange County.”



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