GOSHEN, NY—A former Mechanicstown volunteer firefighter pleaded guilty on Thursday to conspiracy and drug charges, marking yet another major player to admit to his role in what prosecutors say were a pair of conspiracies to sell narcotic pills and cocaine in Orange County and elsewhere.
Robert Dunham, 46, of Middletown, pleaded guilty in Orange County Court before Judge Craig Brown to first-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and second-degree conspiracy, felonies, and admitted to his involvement in selling and distributing cocaine.
In exchange for the guilty plea, Assistant District Attorney Neal Eriksen said in court, Dunham will get a negotiated sentence of eight and a third to 25 years in prison for the conspiracy charge. His plea to the drug-sale charge is open. The offense carries a minimum sentence of eight years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.
Prosecutors say that Dunham and former City of Middletown Fire Lt. Paul Smith were in the middle of two drug rings. Prosecutors say one ring distributed and sold cocaine supplied by Marquis Gamble, 34, of Nyack, to members of self-professed outlaw motorcycle clubs; and the other distributed pills supplied by Garry Michel, 48, of Middletown, that looked like prescription oxycodone but actually contained fentanyl.
RELATED:
- NY Firefighter Accused of Leading Drug Ring
- NY Fire Departments React to Drug Ring Arrests
- Ex-NY Firefighters Indicted in Pair of Drug Rings
Police arrested more than 20 defendants on Feb. 5, the culmination of an investigation they dubbed Operation: Bread, White and Blues based on the slang they say the defendants used for the cash and drugs.
Smith pleaded guilty at his April 8 arraignment to operating as a major trafficker and conspiracy, with prosecutors recommending the maximum eight and a third to 25 years for conspiracy. Smith faces a minimum of 15 years to life in the trafficking charge unless his lawyer can convince the judge to grant him a hardship exception and a determinate sentence of a set number of years. Smith also had to forfeit $315,000 plus a Corvette, a truck and a motorcycle.
Dunham, represented by lawyer Peter Green, admitted to a number of hand-offs of cocaine from August-October 2018, including a sale of more than two ounces; and two meetings with Smith that furthered the aims of the conspiracy.
As part of the plea proceeding, Judge Brown asked Dunham to acknowledge Marquis Gamble as the supplier. Dunham said he didn't know Gamble, only Smith.
Dunham also signed forfeiture paperwork, surrendering $5,676 as part of the plea agreement.
Dunham's case returns to court on July 11. He remains in Orange County Jail.
———
©2019 The Times Herald-Record, Middletown, N.Y.
Visit The Times Herald-Record, Middletown, N.Y. at www.recordonline.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
