KINGSTON – Robert Cromie, 56, was sentenced to one and 2/3 to five years in prison following a conviction on a felony arson charge in March.
Sullivan County Court Judge James Farrell handed down the sentence on Friday. Cromie had intentionally set fire to a garage attached to his apartment in December 2021 in Shawangunk while his wife was sleeping.
Cromie, a member of the Wallkill Fire Department at the time, carried his sleeping wife out of the fire, uninjured. The fire destroyed the entire apartment.
The arson was investigated by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Ulster County Department of Emergency Services.
“Arson is a grave offense, particularly when perpetrated by firefighters entrusted with safeguarding our community. It is intolerable to endanger both the public and those sworn to protect them through such reckless acts,” said Sheriff Juan Figueroa. “I commend the District Attorney’s Office for its earnest pursuit of justice in this matter, sending a resolute message that such crime will be met with consequences.”
The sheriff credited to collaboration between his investigators and the Ulster County Fire Investigation Unit, which resulted in the conviction.
Cromie was prosecuted by former Dutchess County Senior Assistant District Attorney Robert Knapp, who now serves as the General Felonies Bureau Chief for the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office.
