Goshen, NY – Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler and Sheriff Paul Arteta have announced the guilty plea of Kirkland Salmon, age 42, of Newburgh, to multiple charges including drug and firearm offenses as well as conspiracy charges. The plea stems from the law enforcement operation known as “Hot Lunch,” which targeted firearm and narcotics trafficking.
On Tuesday, Kirkland Salmon pled guilty in Orange County Court to charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, and Conspiracy in the Second and Fourth Degrees. Under the plea agreement, the prosecution will recommend a 12-year prison sentence, followed by five years of post-release supervision. Salmon has also agreed to forfeit a vehicle and a food truck as part of the plea deal.
Operation Hot Lunch was the result of collaborative efforts by several law enforcement agencies, including the Orange County Drug Task Force, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, among others. The extensive investigation lasted six months and revealed multiple conspiracies involving Salmon.