Theft of loaded guns from retired chief draws 13-year prison term

A Kingston man who was convicted in connection with the theft of two loaded handguns from a retired police chief’s vehicle was sentenced Wednesday to 13 years in state prison, according to the the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office.

Willie Rodriguez, 31, was sentenced by Ulster County Court Judge Donald A. Williams for the felonies of criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Rodriguez was convicted by an Ulster County Court jury on Aug. 24.

Rodriguez was charged Dec. 22, 2017, in connection with the theft of two loaded handguns from retired Saugerties Police Chief Gregory M. Hulbert’s unlocked vehicle, which was parked at Hulbert’s home in Saugerties. Police said the theft occurred late Dec. 20 or early Dec. 21.

Rodriguez was arrested during an sting operation at a Livingston Street address in the village of Saugerties that resulted in the recovery of the guns and heroin. Also arrested were Skylar Eichert, 28, of Saugerties, and Gina Julian, 24, of Kingston.

Rodriguez was charged with buying one of the stolen weapons and with possessing 120 bags of heroin with the intent to sell.

Eichert, who was charged with selling the weapons, pleaded guilty to the felony of criminal possession of a weapon on April 23, the District Attorney’s Office said. Julian was charged with various heroin-related crimes and pleaded guilty to the felony of criminal possession of a controlled substance on May 16.

Hulbert’s weapons — a .38-caliber semiautomatic handgun and a .38-caliber revolver — were in a black Swiss Army backpack that was stolen from his vehicle, police said. Also in the stolen backpack were additional ammunition, Hulbert’s police ID card, his retired chief’s badge, his security ID card and a pistol permit.

Police said they found Hulbert’s police shield, police ID and other items in a trash can not far from his home.

Hulbert was a member of the town of Saugerties Police Department for 30 years, became chief in 1991 and retired in 2008. The town and village of Saugerties had separate police departments at the time; they now have one.