Drug Task Force Conducts Multiple Raids In The Rip Van Winkle High-Rise

The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force with the assistance of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit (SWAT) and the Poughkeepsie SWAT team executed multiple search warrants in the early morning of 02/04/26 at the Rip Van Winkle high-rise apartment complex in the City of Poughkeepsie.   This investigation and search warrants resulted in the arrest of two dangerous drug and narcotic dealers, the seizure of narcotics, packaging, scales, and an assault rifle.   The search warrants were executed after Drug Task Force Agents purchased narcotics from two separate apartments within the Rip Van Winkle high-rise complex throughout the course of this investigation.  

Stacey L. Shortes Jr., age 37, from the City of Poughkeepsie was arrested related to narcotic sales inside the apartment complex.  The defendant was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree, a class B felony and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5th degree, a class D felony.  The defendant was arraigned and released to the supervision of probation by the City of Poughkeepsie Court as required by law.  

Glenn D. Knapp, age 40, from the City of Poughkeepsie was arrested related to narcotic sales inside the apartment complex as well as possessing an Assault Weapon.  The defendant was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree, a class B felony, one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th degree, a class C felony and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree, a class D Violent felony.  The defendant was remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transitions Center by the Dutchess County Court with bail. 

Drug Task Force Agents work quickly and with precision to identify and arrest those individuals who choose to sell and traffic narcotics and dangerous drugs in Dutchess County.  The Drug Task Force was assisted by the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, City of Poughkeepsie Police Neighborhood Recovery Unit and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Patrol and Detective Bureaus.  

As with any criminal case, the charges described above are merely accusations, and those named are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

REPORT A DRUG DEALER
If anyone has information regarding these cases or about any other individuals selling drugs in Dutchess County, you are urged to contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040 or by emailing your tips to Drugtaskforcetips@gmail.com.