Ex-Convict Charged With Killing NY Homeless Shelter Worker

NEWBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say they've charged an ex-convict with killing an employee of a Hudson Valley homeless shelter.

Police in the city of Newburgh say 51-year-old Wilfredo Mercado was arrested around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday a few blocks from where Robert Munson was slain inside the Youth Advocate Program building.

Officials say the 61-year-old Munson was working the overnight shift when he was killed early Wednesday morning. Police say Munson was assaulted but haven't said how he was killed.

Mercado is charged with second-degree. It couldn't be determined if he has an attorney for his arraignment Thursday morning in Newburgh City Court.

The Times Herald-Record of Middletown reports Mercado is a homeless Level 3 sex offender with a lengthy criminal record dating back to a rape committed in the Bronx in 1991.