GOSHEN, N.Y.On Wednesday, Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler stated that a man from New Windsor had entered a guilty plea to illegal possession of a weapon in the second degree after selling a loaded pistol to an undercover police officer.
On January 16, 2025, 42-year-old Morgan Secreto acknowledged in court that he had sold a loaded Taurus.380 handgun for $1,000 to an undercover NYS police officer in July 2024. Later, it was found that the gun was operational. The plea deal stipulates that when Secreto is sentenced on March 26, 2025, the District Attorney’s Office will suggest a 10-year jail term with five years of post-release supervision.
The purchase was a component of a larger investigation by the New York State Police investigating unlawful firearm sales in the Newburgh area. Secreto acknowledged having the loaded handgun at the time of the sale during the plea negotiations.
According to District Attorney Hoovler, drug dealers and other criminals who want to commit violent crimes frequently use illegally obtained firearms as part of their business. In Orange County, those who unlawfully own or sell firearms put everyone in danger and will suffer harsh penalties.
