'Operation Hot Lunch' perpetrator guilty of drug, weapons and conspiracy charges

GOSHEN – A Newburgh man pleaded guilty Tuesday in Orange County Court to criminal possession of drugs, criminal sale of a firearm and conspiracy in connection with an investigation code-named “Hot Lunch.”

Kirkland Salmon, 42, faces up to 12 years in prison when he is sentenced in December, District Attorney David Hoovler said.

“Mr. Salmon was the most prolific gun dealer in Orange County history. He was responsible for bringing over 24 guns to Orange County and arranging the sale of those guns to undercover agents and others during “Operation Hot Lunch,” said he.

The weapons came from North Carolina and Florida.

The investigation also led to drug sales charges after over 11 kilos of cocaine, fentanyl and over $45,000 in cash were seized.

Operation Hot Lunch resulted in the arrest of 26 people on drug, firearms and conspiracy charges.