Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty To 35th Criminal Conviction

CITY OF MIDDLETOWN, NY — A Hudson Valley drug dealer has a new conviction on his stunningly lengthy rap sheet.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that 47-year-old Raymond Burnett, of Middletown, pleaded guilty on June 3 to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. It is expected that he will be sentenced to six years in prison to be followed by three years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on August 19.

The district attorney noted that the conviction is Burnett's seventh felony and 35th total criminal conviction.

According to court documents, during a City of Middletown Police Department investigation into the trafficking of narcotics in and around the city, Burnett sold fentanyl to an undercover police officer in November 2024. In December, a judicially authorized search warrant was executed at Burnett's home in the City of Middletown, during which officers found crack-cocaine packaged for sale.

During plea proceedings, Burnett admitted to knowingly and unlawfully selling fentanyl.

"Narcotics have a malignant effect in our communities," DA Hoovler said. "All too often we see that the drivers of these types of crimes are repeat offenders who willfully profit at the deadly expense of others. While drug dealers might see this conduct as a way to easy money, they should instead know that it is a direct route to jail. We in Orange County law enforcement will not permit this type of dangerous behavior and we will continue to stand between our citizens and these criminals. I commend the dangerous and vital work done by the City of Middletown Police Department to bring this offender to justice."