DRUG TASK FORCE ARRESTS DRUG DEALER AND SEIZES ANOTHER ILLEGAL HANDGUN
On February 15, 2024, the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force arrested James E. Morris Jr, age 51, for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B Felony. The Drug Task
Force also arrested Jonette Drake, age 43, for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C Felony.
The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force has been conducting investigations into the sale of dangerous drugs in the Town of Poughkeepsie as well as the City of Poughkeepsie. During the
investigation Mr. Morris sold cocaine to the Drug Task Force multiple times resulting in his arrest on this date in the City of Poughkeepsie. At the time of his arrest Mrs. Drake, who was with Mr. Morris, was found to be inpossession of a loaded unregistered handgun.
Mr. Morris was arraigned in the Town of Poughkeepsie Justice Court and remanded to jail without bail. Mrs. Drake was arraigned in the City of Poughkeepsie Court and was remanded to jail with bail set at $20,000 cash,
$40,000 insurance bond, or $80,000 partially secured bond.
The Drug Task Force continues to warn the public that cocaine and other dangerous drugs are often mixed with fentanyl which is the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in Dutchess County.
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.
