Unionville Man Admits Trying To Take Out Victim's Eye During Burglary

GOSHEN, NY — An Orange County man admitted that he broke into a Unionville home and tried to stab someone in the eye with a knife.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said that on Thursday Jesse Frank, 38, of Unionville, pleaded guilty in court to first-degree burglary.

Under the plea agreement, prosecutors recommended he be sentenced to nine years in prison when he is next in court May 7.

Prosecutors said, around noon on May 10, Frank kicked down the door of a tenant in a home in the village of Unionville while holding a knife.

Once inside, he threatened to kill the occupant and struck the victim near the eye with the knife.

During the struggle, the victim sustained a broken orbital bone and a cut to the hand before being able to run out of the bedroom and flag down a passing motorist who called 911.

Authorities said, after Frank was taken into custody, he admitted the incident to the police and said he was trying to take the victim’s eye out.

At the plea proceedings, he said he illegally entered the bedroom with the intent to commit a crime and injure the victim.

Hoovler said the terrifying facts of the case are everyone’s worst nightmare.

“Violent offenders must face stiff punishment so that dangerous individuals are removed from our community while also serving as a deterrent to others,” he said. “Thankfully the victim in this case did not suffer permanent injuries.”