Drug Task Force - Fentanyl Dealer Recently Released from Jail Apprehended with a Loaded Firearm

The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force has been investigating the sale of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs in the Poughkeepsie and Hyde Park areas. This investigation led to the Drug Task Force identifying a person directly connected to the distribution of fentanyl in Dutchess County and arrested Jose J. Cruz, age 22, after a search warrant at his residence on 03/25/24. Cruz was initially remanded to DCJ, but was released by the court on 03/28/24 due to mandatory bail laws.

Drug Task Force Agents learned that Cruz had immediately started to sell fentanyl again and was possibly armed with a handgun. Drug Task Force Agents made several more purchases of fentanyl from Cruz. On 04/15/2024 Drug Task Force Agents with Dutchess County Sheriff’s Deputies, Town of Poughkeepsie Police Detectives, and City of Poughkeepsie Police took Cruz into custody on Main Street in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Cruz was armed with a loaded 9 mm “Ghost gun” at the time of his arrest.

Cruz was charged with (1) Count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree, a class C Violent felony with multiple narcotics related charges pending against him. Cruz is currently being held at the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department pending his arraignment later this date.

If anyone has information regarding this case 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 sending an email to the following web address: DrugTaskForceTips@gmail.com

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