Newburgh Man Gets 6 Years for Slashing Victim in Face with Sharp Object

Dave Fulford ran up behind a man on Van Ness Street in Newburgh just before nightfall on September 3, 2025, and slashed him once across the face with a sharp object, leaving a laceration large enough to require stitches. On March 11, Orange County Court sentenced the 21-year-old to six years in New York State prison, to be followed by five years of post-release supervision, after he pleaded guilty to Attempted Assault in the First Degree.

The attack occurred at approximately 7:40 p.m. Fulford later admitted to the City of Newburgh Police Department that he slashed the victim. At his plea proceedings, he went further, admitting to attempting to cause serious physical injury to the victim by means of a dangerous instrument.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler, who announced the sentence, credited the Newburgh Police Department's investigation with securing the arrest and conviction. "Violent offenders need to be held accountable for their crimes," Hoovler said. "This defendant's behavior constituted life altering acts of violence. The thorough investigation completed by police in this case ensured that this defendant was brought to justice. Our community is safer with this violent offender incarcerated under the terms of the sentence imposed by the court."

The specific type of sharp object used in the attack has not been disclosed in court filings made public. The victim's name has not been released.

Under New York State law, Fulford will serve the six-year prison term before the five-year post-release supervision period begins, meaning the sentence extends his court-imposed obligations well into his late twenties.