Middletown man pleads guilty to manslaughter in beating death

GOSHEN – A Middletown
man pled guilty in Orange County Court on Monday to manslaughter in the
beating death of a man near the train tracks in downtown Middletown last
September 2017.

Primitivo Sosa, 28, pled guilty before County Court Judge Robert Freehill
in the death of Celso Jimenez-Lucero, 31, of Middletown. Sosa admitted
that at about 6:30 a.m. on September 3, he was at the railroad right-of-way
near Low Avenue in Middletown and knowing the victim had serious medical
issues, he punched him in the head several times with his fist.

Lucero died the following day in the hospital. Jimenez-Lucero was arrested
on September 5 by Middletown Police and remains in the Orange County Jail.

He is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

“Violence has no place in our communities,” said District
Attorney David Hoovler. “Those who resort to violence to settle
disputes, even if they do not use weapons, must be held accountable for
their actions.”

Hank Gross

Hank Gross is the founder of Mid-Hudson News and a veteran journalist with over five decades of experience covering the Hudson Valley. A graduate of SUNY Oneonta, where he began his career in broadcasting, Hank has worked across radio, TV, and print media since 1970. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including an Associated Press “Best Newscast” award and recognition as a “Pillar of the Community” by the Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center. He lives in Middletown with his wife, Virginia.