Man accused of trying to kill two cops enters guilty plea

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POUGHKEEPSIE – A 26-year-old Wappingers Falls man pleaded guilty to two counts of Attempted Murder arising from a November 15, 2019 incident in which he fired eight shots aimed at two Red Hook Police Officers.  Dutchess County Court Judge Edward McLoughlin accepted the plea of Keith Potik on Friday morning.

The case was prosecuted by Dutchess County Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Weishaupt and Senior Assistant District Attorney Frank Petramale.

Potik admitted to attempting to kill Red Hook Police Officers Sterritt and Telles when he shot at them with an unlawfully possessed .45 caliber handgun.  In addition to the attempted murder charges, he also pleaded guilty to two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon.

Dutchess County Court Judge Edward McLoughlin

 Sentencing is scheduled to occur in Judge McLoughlin’s courtroom on August 20.  Potik faces up to 30 years in prison and 5 years of post-release supervision from Judge McLoughlin.

The November 2019 incident erupted in gunfire when Officers Sterritt and Telles responded to a civil dispute over property and attempted to speak with Potik, who disobeyed the order to stop and instead, began shooting at the officers.  The incident led to a foot pursuit involving several law enforcement agencies.  Potik was finally captured that afternoon by members of the New York State Police.




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