Middletown man pleads guilty in attempted robbery case

On Thursday, February 20, Fritznel Beauchamps, 47, of Middletown pled guilty in Orange County Court to attempted robbery in the first degree, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced. Under the plea agreement, Hoovler said Beauchamps is expected to be sentenced to 10 years in prison to be followed by five years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on May 5, 2025.

According to Hoovler’s announcement, on July 9, 2024, Beauchamps entered a smoke shop in the City of Middletown, approached an employee while displaying a knife and said, “Give me all the money in the register or I will kill you.” The victim was able to back away from the defendant and reach a position of safety before Beauchamps left the store. At the plea proceedings, Beauchamps admitted to attempting to forcibly steal property using a knife.

“Violent recidivists whose criminal conduct persists in the face of escalating punishment deserve to be separated from society,” said Hoovler. “The lengthy sentence expected in this case rightfully reflects both the dangerous nature of this defendant’s admitted conduct, as well as the lengthy nature of his criminal history. We must protect our communities from violent offenders through proactive policing, thorough investigations, and dedicated prosecution.”