POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A 30-year-old man was arrested on drug charges following a months-long investigation by the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force.
Justin M. James, of Poughkeepsie, was taken into custody on the morning of April 9, 2026, at the Harriet Tubman Apartment Complex.
The investigation began after Drug Task Force agents identified a narcotic and dangerous drug dealer operating in Dutchess County.
Agents purchased narcotics from the defendant on multiple occasions in various locations within Dutchess County, according to the sheriff’s office.
Drug Task Force agents, with assistance from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Poughkeepsie Neighborhood Recovery Unit, executed the arrest.
Agents executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence upon taking him into custody.
Multiple packages of crack cocaine were seized as a result of the arrest and search warrant.
James was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a class B felony, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a class C felony.
Several additional charges are pending against the defendant related to the investigation.
James was arraigned in Poughkeepsie City Court and released to the supervision of Dutchess County Probation as required by state law.
