SHAWANGUNK, NY — New York State Police have arrested a Wallkill man on multiple weapons charges following a domestic dispute investigation.
Fred D. Earl, 74, of Wallkill, was arrested May 7, 2026, by the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Highland.
Earl is charged with three counts of criminal possession of a weapon 3rd degree, previous conviction, a class D felony; criminal possession of a weapon 3rd degree, a class D felony; criminal possession of assault weapon 3rd degree, a class D felony; three counts of criminal possession of a weapon 3rd degree, ammunition feeding device, a class D felony; criminal possession of firearm, possess a firearm, a class E felony; criminal possession of firearm, unregistered assault weapon, a class E felony; three counts of criminal possession of a weapon 4th degree, felon has rifle/shotgun/antique firearm, a class A misdemeanor; and failure to safely store firearms 1st degree, in home, a class A misdemeanor.
The investigation began at approximately 5:12 p.m. after troopers from the Highland barracks received a 911 report of a domestic dispute between Earl and a 29-year-old female victim.
Troopers issued a be on the lookout order for Earl’s 2024 Ford F150 and located the vehicle shortly thereafter, initiating a traffic stop at the intersection of Bon Ventura Avenue and Second Street in the town of Shawangunk.
During the investigation, the female victim requested to go to Earl’s home to pick up her belongings.
During the retrieval, troopers observed an unsecured rifle in plain view.
Earl was confirmed to be a convicted felon and is not legally able to own firearms in the state of New York.
Troopers obtained a search warrant and conducted a search of the residence.
The search revealed a Remington 597 .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle, a Mossberg 20-gauge shotgun, a Henry Repeating Arms 45.70 caliber model Holox rifle, a River Johnson’s Arms B Cycleworks 22 Supershot Seared 8, a black slapjack, a DPMS Panther Arms .223-5.56 Model A-15 assault weapon and three 30-round magazines.
Earl was arrested and transported to State Police Highland without incident for processing.
Earl was arraigned at Ulster County Jail Central Arraignment Part and was released on his own recognizance.
He is due back in Shawangunk Town Court on May 18, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
