60-Year-Old Admits To Robbery, And To Later Having A 'Shank' in Jail

TOWN OF WALLKILL, NY — An Orange County man has admitted to crimes both before and after he was behind bars.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that 60-year-old Jose Montanez, of Newburgh, pleaded guilty on April 2 to third-degree robbery and first-degree promoting prison contraband. Under the plea agreement, it will be recommended that he be sentenced to an aggregate term of five to ten years in prison when he is sentenced on June 18.

According to court documents, on October 27, 2023, around 9:35 a.m., Montanez entered a business in the Town of Wallkill wearing a surgical mask, displayed a knife and demanded money. After reaching into the cash register and taking money, he then fled on a bicycle. Police later found the bicycle and a surgical mask nearby. A DNA analysis of the mask was a match to Montanez.

After being arrested for the robbery and while an inmate at the Orange County Jail, he was seen chasing after another inmate while brandishing a shank. Corrections officers recovered the shank from Montanez.

During plea proceedings, he admitted to forcibly stealing property from the store and possessing dangerous contraband in a detention facility.

Hoovler thanked the Town of Wallkill Police Department for their investigation which led to the arrest of Montanez. He also thanked the Orange County Sheriff's Office for their investigation and arrest for the case in the jail.

"For violent offenders who commit violent crimes, a significant prison sentence is warranted," Hoovler said. "Business owners deserve to feel safe in their workplace. While thankfully no one was hurt by this defendant's violent conduct, justice nonetheless demands a substantial consequence. I commend the careful and often dangerous work by the police and corrections professionals who helped to ensure this defendant was held to account for his crimes."