Middletown man pleads guilty in Port Jervis arson case

On Tuesday, December 10, Hui Zhang, 53, of Middletown pled guilty in Orange County Court before the Honorable Craig Stephen Brown to arson in the third degree and bail jumping in the second degree, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced.

Hoovler’s announcement said his team will recommend that Zhang be sentenced to two to six years in prison on the arson charge and one to years in prison on the bail jumping charge, with those sentences to be served consecutively. Zhang is scheduled for sentencing on February 10, 2025.

According to Hoovler, on September 30, 2021, at approximately 3:30 a.m., a structure fire was reported at a building with a detached garage in Port Jervis. The investigation allegedly found at least three points of origin of the fire, an indication that it was intentionally set. Zhang, who owned the building which was under renovation at the time of the fire, allegedly told police that he had insurance policies on the building and had intentionally lit the fire. After being charged in 2021, Zhang failed to appear in Port Jervis City Court and a warrant was issued. He was later located in New Jersey and returned to authorities in Orange County. At the plea proceedings, Zhang admitted to intentionally damaging the building by starting a fire and also to failing to appear in court as directed.

Hoovler thanked the City of Port Jervis Police Department and the Orange County Fire Investigation Unit whose investigation led to the arrest of Zhang.

“Arson is an inherently dangerous crime, which poses grave risks to people and property,” said Hoovler. “Thankfully, this defendant’s greedy actions did not result in any injuries. The careful investigation conducted by law enforcement ensured that this offender not only would be held accountable for his crimes, but would be returned to the jurisdiction to face justice.”

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Mangold.