Port Jervis Man Charged With Third-Degree Arson in Deerpark House Fire

Amato Natale, 41, of Port Jervis, has been arrested and charged in connection with a house fire in the Town of Deerpark that investigators say he intentionally started on July 14, 2025. Deerpark police allege the blaze caused only minor damage to the residence, but the case resulted in felony charges that move into the local courts.

Town of Deerpark Police, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office including its Hudson Valley Arson and Explosives Task Force, and the City of Port Jervis Police Department conducted a joint investigation that led to Natale’s arrest. Times Herald-Record reported Natale was charged with third-degree arson and second-degree criminal mischief, both felonies. Natale was arraigned in Town of Deerpark Justice Court and released on his own recognizance pending further court action; officials said the charges are not bail eligible. Natale’s attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.

Town of Deerpark Chief of Police Richard Sztyndor framed the arrest as a product of interagency cooperation. “I extend my gratitude to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, including its Hudson Valley Arson and Explosives Task Force, and the Port Jervis City Police Department for their partnership in this case,” Sztyndor said. “The combined effort and resources demonstrate our commitment to aggressively investigating and pursuing charges in cases involving intentionally set fires.”

For local residents, the case highlights how fire investigations in Orange County are handled when arson is suspected. Arson is tracked as a property crime and treated seriously by prosecutors; a separate Orange County prosecution from 2024 resulted in a third-degree arson conviction and a 2-to-6 year sentence for a different Port Jervis defendant, illustrating the potential penalties when intent to set a fire is proven. The Natale case, however, remains at the charges stage and has not produced a conviction.

Several routine questions remain unanswered in public reports: the exact arrest date, the specific location within Deerpark, whether there were injuries, and whether Natale has a prior criminal history. Those details will likely surface during return court dates or from filings in Town of Deerpark Justice Court and the Orange County DA’s office.

What comes next for readers is procedural: prosecutors will prepare formal charging papers and evidence for upcoming hearings, and local officials say continued collaboration across agencies is a priority for preventing and prosecuting intentionally set fires. Residents concerned about fire safety or suspicious activity should continue to report tips to local police so investigations can begin promptly and communities remain protected.