For More Information Contact:
Drug Task Force Coordinator Detective Sergeant Adam D. Harris
Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony P. Parisi
The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force continues to identify areas in Dutchess County where narcotics and dangerous drugs are being sold. The City of Poughkeepsie and many other communities throughout Dutchess County continue to support the Drug Task Force by providing information related to narcotic and dangerous drug activity.
During the course of this investigation Drug Task Force Agents began purchasing narcotics from Orlando Peterson III, age 55, in the City of Poughkeepsie. On 02/27/2025 Drug Task Force Agents, with the assistance of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Service Unit (SWAT), executed a search warrant at Mr. Peterson’s residence on Garden Street resulting in the seizure of cocaine and methamphetamine packaged for sale. Mr. Peterson was taken into custody at this time without incident.
Mr. Peterson was charged with the following:
(1) Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree with intent to sell, a class B Felony.
(2) Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th Degree, a Class D Felony.
Mr. Peterson was later arraigned in the City of Poughkeepsie Court and remanded to DCJ with no bail.
This investigation is still active, and additional charges are pending against Mr. Peterson.
The Drug Task Force was assisted by the City of Poughkeepsie Police when executing the search warrant.
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.
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
