Defendant Gets Prison In ‘Operation Hot Lunch’ Case

NEWBURGH, NY — A local man was sentenced Monday to a five to 10 year prison term for his role in a large-scale narcotics crime ring.

Judge Craig Stephen Brown imposed the sentence on Russell Knight, 46, of Newburgh, in Orange County Court.

After he gets out of prison, Knight will be on supervised release for three years, according to Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler.

Knight previously pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.

Knight is among 26 defendants who were arrested following a six-month, multi-agency investigation into illegal firearms and narcotics trafficking in Orange County, an operation with the code name of “Hot Lunch,” according to Hoovler’s office.

“This case highlights our commitment to removing dangerous drug dealers and the violence they bring from our communities,” Hoovler said. “This sentence serves as a warning to anyone who thinks they can profit by endangering our community.”

According to prosecutors, an investigation showed that Kirkland Salmon, who had a food truck parked in Newburgh, was at the center of four different conspiracies to traffic narcotics and firearms in Orange County.

Law enforcement seized the food truck, 24 firearms, one kilogram of cocaine, an additional 11 kilograms of cocaine, 90 grams of fentanyl, seven guns, high-capacity magazines, ammunition, approximately $45,000 cash, scales and packaging materials used in narcotics trafficking, and 10 vehicles, prosecutors said.

During his plea proceeding, Knight admitted to participating in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics and selling cocaine, according to Hoovler’s office.