Wallkill Crack Dealer Gets 7 Years After Selling To Undercover Cop

ORANGE COUNTY, NY — The DA said that a recent lengthy prison sentence should serve as a warning to other would-be drug dealers.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that 44-year-old Wayne Battles, of Middletown, was sentenced last week to seven years in prison to be followed by three years of post-release supervision in connection with his previous guilty plea in Orange County Court to third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

According to court filings, on dates in July 2020, Battles met with an undercover police officer to exchange crack cocaine for money.

In October 2020, New York State Police troopers stopped a vehicle Battles was driving, and he was found to have an estimated 27 grams of cocaine in his possession.

During plea proceedings, he admitted to knowingly possessing cocaine with the intent to sell it.

"Law enforcement will pursue drug dealers using all available resources," Hoovler said. "Where long-term drug investigations uncover evidence of drug crimes, my Office will ensure that these offenders face appropriate justice. Let me be crystal clear to those considering possessing or selling narcotics in Orange County: you will be caught and you will face severe punishment. I praise the dangerous work of the police officers responsible for this and other narcotics investigations. Together, we are ensuring that our communities are safe from the scourge of dangerous drugs."

The DA thanked the New York State Police for their investigation which led to the arrest of Battles.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Richard Giordano.