Newburgh man pleads guilty to stealing from Monroe Target

On Wednesday, February 7, Joshua Clayborne, 35, of Newburgh, pled guilty in Orange County Court to grand larceny in the fourth degree, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced. As a result of the plea agreement, Clayborne is expected to be sentenced to one and a half to three years in prison when he is sentenced on April 19, 2024, per Hoovler’s office.

According to court documents, on May 30, 2023, Clayborne entered the Monroe Target (128 Bailey Farm Road). A loss prevention officer who was reportedly familiar with Clayborne watched him take numerous items and place them in his cart. The loss prevention officer then called the police who responded and also reported seeing Clayborne place items in his cart and then watched him leave the store without paying for the items, which allegedly had a total value in excess of $2,000. At the plea proceedings, Clayborne admitted to taking the items without permission. He further admitted that he has been previously convicted of grand larceny. The conviction is Clayborne’s 28th criminal conviction and his third felony conviction.

The plea comes after the District Attorney’s Office recently reiterated its commitment to fighting retail theft. District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation and the arrest of Clayborne.

“It is only through proactive cooperation amongst law enforcement, retailers and the community that we can effectively tackle retail crime,” said Hoovler in a statement issued to the press. “Let the expected prison sentence in this case underscore the focus that my office has on the spread of retail crime and the recidivists who drive it. I commend the work of the police and prosecutors in this case that ensured this defendant was held accountable for his actions.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Pietropaolo.