The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force reports the arrest of Justin M. James, age 30, in the City of Poughkeepsie related to narcotic and dangerous drug sales in the Poughkeepsie and Pleasant Valley area.
The investigation began after the Drug Task Force Agents identified a narcotic and dangerous drug dealer operating in Dutchess County. As a result, Drug Task Force Agents began purchasing narcotics from the defendant on multiple occasions in various locations within Dutchess County.
In the morning of 04/09/2026, Drug Task Force Agents with the assistance of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Poughkeepsie Neighborhood Recovery Unit arrested the defendant at the Harriet Tubman Apartment Complex in the City of Poughkeepsie. Upon taking the defendant into custody Agents executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence. As a result of this arrest and search warrant, multiple packages of crack cocaine was seized.
Justin M. James was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree, a class B Felony and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th degree, a class C felony. *Several charges are pending against the defendant related to this investigation.
The defendant was later arraigned in the City of Poughkeepsie Court and released to the supervision of Dutchess County Probation as required by NYS law.
District Attorney Anthony P. Parisi - “Drug trafficking continues to pose a direct threat to the safety and stability of our communities, and those who choose to engage in the sale of narcotics in Dutchess County will be identified, investigated, and held accountable. This arrest is the result of coordinated, proactive enforcement efforts by our Drug Task Force and law enforcement partners, working together to disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs into our neighborhoods. I commend the dedication and professionalism of the investigators involved in this case, and I want the public to know that we remain fully committed to targeting those who profit from addiction while also encouraging community members to come forward with information so we can continue this critical work.”
REPORT A DRUG ACTIVITY
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, by emailing your tips to Drugtaskforcetips@gmail.com, or by submitting a tip through the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office website at www.dutchessda.org.
