32-Year-Old Who Locked Himself In Diner Bathroom And Refused To Leave Gets 6 Years On Gun Charge

MIDDLETOWN, NY — Odd behavior at a small business that led to felony charges will now send a Hudson Valley man to prison.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that 32-year-old Samuel Rodriguez, of Middletown, was sentenced on Jan. 29 to six years in prison to be followed by five years of post-release supervision after previously pleading guilty to second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

On March 1, 2025, around 6 p.m., the City of Middletown Police Department responded to a local diner after receiving reports of an erratic man in the bathroom who refused to leave.

The owner of the diner told police that the man had been in the bathroom for a long time and refused to come out. When officers ordered the man to leave, Rodriguez left the bathroom and exited the restaurant. Officers then found drug paraphernalia and a gun holster left in the bathroom where Rodriguez had been.

When he was later stopped by police, Rodriguez was found to be carrying a bag which contained a loaded handgun.

During plea proceedings, Rodriguez admitted to illegally possessing the loaded firearm.

Hoovler thanked the City of Middletown Police for their investigation which led to the arrest of Rodriguez.

"Dangerous firearms do not belong in the hands of those criminals who have no legal right to carry them," Hoovler said. "We see, every day, the terrible consequences of illegally possessed firearms used by dangerous criminals. Our message is clear, if you choose to illegally possess a loaded gun in Orange County, you will be held accountable and you will go to prison. We will not cease in our pursuit of gun crimes and the criminals who commit them."