Two men charged with drug possession following welfare check conducted in parking lot

Pleasant Valley, New York – On February 25, 2017, State Police from Poughkeepsie arrested Joseph K. Leuci, age 36, of Seaford, New York, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5^th Degree, a Class D Felony and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7^th Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor.  Also arrested was Sonny Reale, 33 years old, of Poughkeepsie, NY, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7^th degree, a Class A Misdemeanor, and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, a Violation.

Troopers were dispatched by Dutchess County 911 to conduct a welfare check on two subjects reported to be drinking in a vehicle. Troopers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in the Acme Plaza on North Avenue.  An investigation revealed that Leuci, a passenger in the vehicle, possessed cocaine. Reale was charged with possessing cocaine and marihuana.

Reale was issued appearance tickets directing him to appear in the Town of Pleasant Valley Court at a later date and time.  Leuci was arraigned in the Town of Pleasant Valley Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond.