The defendant in this case, Keith M. Potik, plead guilty today to the Indictment charging him with attempting to kill two Police Officers in the Town of Red Hook on November 15, 2019.
The defendant plead guilty this morning before Dutchess County Court Judge Edward T. Mcloughlin to two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree for attempting to kill officers Sterritt and Telles of the Red Hook Police department by firing at them eight (8) times with a .45 caliber handgun. The defenda nt also plead guilty to two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree in violation of Article 265 of the Penal Law. The two weapon counts alleged that he possessed the .45 caliber handgun illegally with intent to use it unlawfully against another and the possession took place outside his home of place of business.
The defendant is facing a sentence of up to thirty (30) years in prison with five (5) years of post-release supervision. The Court set sentencing for Friday August 20, 2021.
Officers Sterritt and Telles were responding to a civil dispute over property and when they attempted to speak with the defenda nt, they were immediately confronted with a situation that escalated rapidly into an attempt on their lives. Potik drew a weapon from his waistband firing eight rounds at the officers. Their quick actions of returning fire and seeking cover saved their own lives. The quick response of other law enforcement agencies enabled Potik to be quickly taken into custody without any further gunfire.
Special thanks to the New York State Police, the Dutchess County Sher iff's Department and all other responding agencies for their professionalism in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.
This case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Weishaupt and Senior Assistant District Attorney Frank Petramale.
A copy of the Bill of Particula rs has been included with this to provide a more complete description of the incident.
