POUGHKEEPSIE – Carlos Belton, 32, was sentenced to 41 years to life in prison by Dutchess County Court Judge Jessica Segal on Tuesday.
Belton murdered 27-year-old Altiba Proverbs inside the Casablanca grocery store on Main Street in Poughkeepsie in June of 2022 and was convicted by a jury in February of murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Judge Segal sentenced Belton to 25 years to life for the murder conviction and 16 years to life for the weapons conviction. The terms will run consecutively, according to Dutchess County District Attorney Bureau Chief Anthony Parisi, who prosecuted Belton.
Belton was viewed on the surveillance cameras inside the 386 Main Street store where he ambushed Proverbs and shot him several times. After the shooting, Belton was observed walking to the counter of the store before casually leaving. Later that day, he arrived at a local hospital suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen that required emergency surgery. It was determined that Belton was shot while in the process of shooting the victim.
Parisi noted that Belton is classified as a persistent violent felon as a result of his prior felony convictions along with the recent convictions.
Parisi credited the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department for their work in bringing Belton to justice and he also credited the jury for their service that resulted in the guilty verdict.
“Carlton Belton is one of Poughkeepsie’s most dangerous violent career criminals and as a result of his sentence today he will no longer pose a threat to the citizens of Dutchess County, Parisi said. “I hope that Mr. Belton’s sentence of 41 years to life in the shooting death of Atiba Proverbs sends a very clear message– violence will not be tolerated in our communities.”
April 12, 2023 – Source: Mid Hudson News