Man Accused Of Selling Fentanyl Arrested Again After Being Released

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A 22-year-old man who was arrested and released after being accused of selling fentanyl is back in custody.

The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force said Monday that Jose J. Cruz, 22, was arrested March 25 after a search warrant was executed at his home.

Authorities said he was initially sent to the Dutchess County Jail but was released March 28 because of mandatory bail laws.

The task force said agents learned that Cruz had immediately started to sell fentanyl again and was possibly armed with a handgun.

Agents said they made several more purchases of the drug from Cruz and on Monday he was taken into custody on Main Street in the town of Poughkeepsie.

He was armed with a loaded 9mm “ghost gun” at the time of his arrest, police said.

Cruz was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony, with multiple narcotics-related charges pending against him.

He was being held Monday at the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department pending arraignment.

If anyone has information regarding this case or about any other individuals selling drugs in Dutchess County, contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040 or by sending an email.