15 Arrested For Narcotics Conspiracy In Hudson Valley: DA

MIDDLETOWN, NY — A two-year investigation into drug sales led to 15 people accused of conspiring to sell narcotics in the mid-Hudson Valley.

Orange County law enforcement officials announced Tuesday drug arrests centered in Middletown and Port Jervis.

The arrests were the results of a two-year-long narcotics investigation that used court-ordered eavesdropping.

Authorities said seven search warrants were executed during the investigation which resulted in the seizure of more than 1,516 grams of cocaine crack having a street value of about $50,000, more than $167,000 in United States currency and three illegally possessed handguns.

The investigation was conducted by the City of Middletown Police Department, the Orange County Drug Taskforce, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the City of Port Jervis Police Department.

Among those arrested was Michael Rodriguez, 48, of Yonkers. He is the director of Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence — B.R.A.G. — which is a prominent anti-violence program that receives government money and works in the Bronx to promote safer streets, authorities said.

Rodriguez was charged July 26 with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree conspiracy, felonies.

He is accused of supplying cocaine to narcotics dealers in the cities of Middletown and Port Jervis and possessing two illegal handguns, police said.

A search warrant executed July 26 at Rodriguez’s Yonkers residence resulted in seizing the cocaine and cash, as well as a money counter an unlicensed Ruger .380 caliber pistol, an unlicensed Bond Arms .357 caliber handgun, a vacuum sealer, digital scales and jewelry estimated to have a value of about $50,000.

Police said Rodriguez regularly supplied cocaine to Angelica Rodriguez, aka “Jelly,” who is not believed to be a relative.

Angelica Rodriguez would sell it in and around Middletown, and Tiano Lopez would sell it in and around Port Jervis.

After conventional investigative means failed to come up with evidence of narcotics conspiracy involving Angelica Rodriguez, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office applied for and was granted court-ordered eavesdropping.

It was discovered that the same suppliers of cocaine who were providing her and her co-conspirators with cocaine to sell, authorities said, were also supplying narcotics to those in Port Jervis.

Angelica Rodriguez, 39, of Otisville, was charged Thursday with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree conspiracy, felonies.

During a traffic stop July 14, she was found with 36 grams of cocaine, and a search warrant for a storage unit yielded a loaded Smith and Wesson .380 caliber pistol, cutting agents and a scale commonly used for processing cocaine.

Police said the pistol had been previously reported as stolen.

Michael Rodriguez and Angelica Rodriguez are currently being held without bail in the Orange County Jail pending appearances in court.

Thirteen other people were charged with second-degree conspiracy, a felony. All except three were charged and released. The remaining three are still wanted by authorities.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said there are still those who think they can sell drugs with impunity if they insulate themselves through the use of intermediaries.

“This operation helped to disrupt the flow of narcotics being trafficked in Middletown and Port Jervis by bringing drug dealers, including Michael Rodriguez, to justice,” he said.

“It is unconscionable that the director of a respected group which has pledged to reduce gun violence and help at-risk youth would himself choose to become a major drug dealer himself and commit weapons offenses,” Hoovler said.

The maximum sentences are:

• Second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, with prior felony conviction: 24 years in state prison
• Second-degree conspiracy, with no prior felony conviction: 8-1/3 to 25 years in state prison
• Second-degree conspiracy, with prior felony conviction: 12-1/2 to 25 years in state prison
• Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, with no prior felony conviction: nine years in state prison
• Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, with a prior felony conviction: 12 years in state prison