The District Attorney’s Drug Task Force announces the successful completion of Operation DC Powder Outage, a multi-week investigation targeting the distribution of cocaine and fentanyl throughout Dutchess County.
The operation was launched in response to a recent surge in overdose incidents linked to cocaine laced with fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid responsible for deaths nationwide. Acting on intelligence gathered by Drug Task Force Agents, the Task Force conducted rapid undercover purchases and operations that ultimately led to 9 arrests, dangerous drug seizures, and the disruption of a dangerous supply chain in multiple areas in Dutchess County.
Multiple search warrants were executed by Agents of the Drug Task Force with the assistance of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Officer Emergency Service Unit (SWAT) in the City of Poughkeepsie and the Town of Hyde Park as part of this operation. During the course of the operation, agents seized quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, cocaine mixed with fentanyl, drug sale packaging, U.S. scales and other items related to the sale and distribution of dangerous drugs in Dutchess County. These enforcement actions directly removed lethal narcotics from circulation and targeted dealers at all levels which all fuel overdoses in Dutchess County.
District Attorney Anthony Parisi - “Fentanyl continues to be the deadliest threat facing our communities, and when it is mixed with cocaine, the danger is multiplied. Operation DC Powder Outage represents the kind of swift, coordinated action that saves lives by taking lethal drugs off our streets and holding dealers accountable. I commend the Drug Task Force and our law enforcement partners for their tireless work and dedication to protecting the people of Dutchess County.”
The Task Force worked in close collaboration with the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Patrol and Detective Bureaus, the City of Poughkeepsie Police, the City of Beacon Police, the Town of Hyde Park Police, the Town of East Fishkill Police, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police, the Town of Fishkill Police and the New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit to make this operation a success.
The following alleged dealers were arrested by the Drug Task Force and charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree and/or Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, class B felonies
- Lamar Johnson age 38 - Arrested 08/11/2025 and later released to the supervisions of probation.
- Oliver T. Hassell - age 35 - Arrested 08/13/2025 – Remanded to DCJ.
- Rashard Haile – age 22 - Arrested 08/15/2025 – Remanded to DCJ.
- Gill Graves DOB – age 65 - Arrested 08/13/2025 – Remanded to DCJ.
- Alfredo Schontten – age 52 – Arrested 08/14/2025 and later released to the supervision of probation.
- Christopher Fryar – age 22 - Arrested on 08/13/2025 and later released to the supervision of probation.
- Amanda M. Crain – age 39 - Arrested on 08/12/2025 and remanded to DCJ.
- Jessica M. Ostrom age 44 – Arrested on 8/27/2025 and released to the supervision of probation.
- Vincent Lieggi – age 60 – Arrested on 8/20/2025 – Remanded to DCJ.
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| Johnson |
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| Hassel |
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| Haile |
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| Graves |
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| Schontten |
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| Fryar |
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| Crain |
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| Ostrum |
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| Lieggi |
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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 emailing your tips to 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.
