Man Who Threatened Off-Duty Cop Pleads Guilty To Hate Crime

GOSHEN, NY — A Newburgh man who menaced a Wallkill police lieutenant and son with a knife admitted his guilt in Orange County Court Thursday.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said William Ryan, 61, of Newburgh, pleaded guilty to second-degree menacing as a hate crime and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Under the plea agreement, the district attorney's office will recommend he serve a split sentence of six months incarceration and five years of probation as well as 500 hours of community service when Ryan is sentenced Nov 17.

Prosecutors said, on June 11, Robert Mclymore, an off-duty police lieutenant and pastor in Wallkill, was driving in the city of Newburgh with his son, when Ryan began a verbal fight with the man.

He called Mclymore a racial epithet and drove off.

Ryan began following Mclymore and waived a knife at him.

He then approached the lieutenant's car, threatened him and displayed a blade inches from his face.

Police said Ryan left before once again confronting Mclymore, cursing and using racial epithets and jabbing the blade into the open window of his car while threatening to stab him.

Ryan left the scene, and the City of Newburgh Police Department was able to identify him.

During the plea proceedings, Ryan admitted he unlawfully possessed a knife that he used to place or attempt to place Mclymore "in reasonable fear of physical injury, serious physical injury or death."

He further admitted, the DA's office said, that he was motivated to commit the offenses against the Mclymore based on a belief or perception about his race.

Ryan apologized for his action on that day, prosecutors said.

Hoovler said that hate has no place in the community.

"This defendant's reprehensible conduct is particularly troubling because of the hatred that motivated it," he said.

"While thankfully no one was hurt during this violent episode, it is nevertheless a reminder that we must be diligent in addressing such conduct," Hoovler said, adding that he hopes the case stands as a warning to others that hate crimes will not be tolerated.