Forfeiture actions filed, assets frozen in aftermath of drug raids – News – recordonline.com

Heathe YakinTimes Herald-Record

GOSHEN — Police and prosecutors say the three firefighters and two former cops involved in Tuesday’s fentanyl and cocaine busts betrayed their oaths to protect the public.

A six-month investigation led to more than 20 arrests in connection with a pair of conspiracies connected through Middletown fire Lt. Paul Smith, 48, of the Town of Deerpark, and Mechanicstown volunteer firefighter Robert Dunham, 46, of Middletown, prosecutors say. Officials say retired cop John Beltempo, who formerly worked for the Town of Wallkill and Spring Valley departments and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, was president of the self-styled outlaw motorcycle club the Burnt Pistons, and ex-Walden cop George Thomas was president of the Chingaling Motorcycle Club chapter.

Police said the raids turned up more than $200,000 in cash, two and a half pounds of cocaine, and 1,300 fentanyl pills disguised as 300 mg oxycodone tablets.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said that the majority of the 25 handguns and multiple rifles were found at Smith’s home, and that Smith purchased most of his guns legally.

Hoovler said that based on the criminal charges, his office has filed civil forfeiture actions of about $1 million against defendants’ cash, cars, motorcycles, bank accounts and properties, and the figure will likely rise to $1.5 million as prosecutors file more forfeiture actions.

Authorities have also frozen about $150,000 in defendants’ assets, Hoovler said.

hyakin@th-record.com