Intruder Covered Sleeping Homeowner's Mouth, Threatened Her Life: DA

MIDDLETOWN, NY — A Middletown man has admitted to terrifying a sleeping woman by threatening to kill her during an assault that followed a brazen home invasion.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that 44-year-old Jason Simpson, of Middletown, pleaded guilty on Monday to second-degree attempted burglary. Under the plea agreement, it is expected that he will be sentenced to 12 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on April 9. The district attorney said that this is Simpson's third violent felony conviction and fourth felony conviction.

According to court documents, on October 13, 2024, around 11:20 p.m., a victim was asleep in her City of Middletown home and was awakened by Simpson turning on the light, placing his hand on her mouth and telling her to be quiet or that he would kill her.

He then started to pull her shirt down but fled after hearing people approaching. Simpson was located by police around the block and confessed what had just happened to officers.

At the plea proceedings, Simpson admitted to attempting to enter the residence with the intent to commit a crime.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Middletown Police for their investigation which led to the arrest of Simpson.

"The admitted conduct of this defendant is terrifying and the worst nightmare of every resident," Hoovler said. "In light of his repeated, violent criminal history, this defendant will face a life sentence, which is an appropriate punishment. The residents of Orange County deserve to feel safe in their homes, and the long incarceratory term expected to be imposed in this case will help to make our communities safer. I commend the work of the City of Middletown Police Department who ensured this defendant was held to account for his crimes."