GOSHEN – Eight people have been charged following a five-month investigation into the possession and sales of firearms and methamphetamine, primarily in western Orange County. The investigation took place in the City of Port Jervis and the towns of Greenville, Minisink and Wawayanda.
During the investigation police officers used confidential informants and undercover cops to seize and purchase eight illegally possessed firearms and a half kilo (500 grams) of methamphetamine with a street value of some $60,000.
The weapons included four that are believed to be stolen and not reported, three shotguns that were sawed off and had illegally shortened barrels, and one firearm identified as an AR-15-style “ghost gun,” that was sold with high-capacity ammunition feeding devices.
Two search warrants were executed with additional meth seized and three suspects have been arrested. Authorities are seeking the public’s assistance in locating the five others who have outstanding warrants for their arrest.
Five defendants have been indicted by an Orange County grand jury.
Ashley Evans, 33, of Hallstead, Pennsylvania, was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance and conspiracy. It is alleged that she sold a total of 275 grams of meth, commonly known as “crystal meth” or “meth” and that she possessed an additional 200 grams of meth. If convicted, she faces from 8 1/3 to 25 years in state prison.
Evans allegedly conspired with Anthony Horton, 31, of Wawayanda, and David McCloughlan for crimes including drug sales. Anyone with information about McCloughlan’s whereabouts is urged to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at 845-291-2329.
Daniel Cabral, 34, of Deerpark, was indicted on three counts of criminal possession of a weapon and criminal sale of a firearm. It is alleged he sold three handguns, a .40 caliber Glock semi-automatic pistol, a Ruger .357 magnum revolver, and a Taurus 9 mm semi-automatic pistol to an undercover police officer on three different dates in July 2021. He remains in the Orange County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bail, $250,00 secured bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond.
Dustin Showers, 31, of Pennsylvania, is wanted on an indictment arrest warrant charging him with criminal possession of a weapon. He is on the lam and the public is cautioned not to approach him since the investigation revealed that he sold a “ghost” AR-15 assault rife with a 100 round drum magazine and an additional 30 round magazine as well as ammunition and may have access to other weapons. A “ghost gun” is one not bearing any serial numbers. Anyone with information is urged to call the sheriff’s office at 845-291-2329.
Felony complaints and arrests have been filed in the Town of Deerpark Justice Court for Timothy Search, 52, his wife, Carol Search, 54, and Steven Smith, 18, all of Greenville, for having sold weapons to an undercover con on different occasions.
It is alleged that on July 24, 2021, the three sold two sawed-off shotguns to an undercover police officer. It is also alleged that on August 18, 2021, Timothy Search sold another sawed-off shotgun to an undercover officer. Law enforcement members are looking for all three family members and ask the public to call the sheriff’s office with any information about them.
The investigation was conducted by the Orange County District Attorney’s and Sheriff’s offices, Port Jervis City Police and the Orange County Drug Task Force.
Also assisting in the investigation were Town of Deerpark Police; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center.
