DRUG TASK FORCE – FENTANYL DEALER ARRESTED IN POUGHKEEPSIE NEAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force reports the arrest of Joseph P. Parquet, age 32, of the City of Poughkeepsie, for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree with intent to sell, both class B felonies. Additional charges are pending.
The Drug Task Force has been conducting ongoing investigations into the sale of dangerous drugs including fentanyl mixed with xylazine, which is also known by the street names “Tranq” or “Zombie Drug”. The investigation focused on the south side of Poughkeepsie, specifically in the areas of Academy and Montgomery Street. This investigation led to the identifying of Mr. Parquet as an alleged fentanyl and xylazine drug dealer. On February 1, 2024, Drug Task Force Agents located Mr. Parquet on the street in front of the Clinton Elementary School with a large quantity of fentanyl packaged for sale. Mr. Parquet was arrested without incident and transported to the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office for processing where he is being held pending arraignment later today.
Dutchess County District Attorney, Anthony Parisi, said that “dangerous drugs have no place in our community and the fact that this arrest occurred in such close proximity to an elementary school is alarming and demonstrates the vulnerability of our youth to succumb to the drug epidemic. My office recognizes the need to take an active role in educating our youth on these dangerous drugs and we will take the necessary steps to engage them accordingly.”
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 sending an email to the following web address: 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.
