Drug Treatment Counselor Arrested For Selling Crack: Sheriff

DUTCHESS COUNTY, NY — Tips from the community led to the arrest of a Dutchess County man who worked as a drug treatment counselor while also selling dangerous drugs on the street, according to law enforcement officials.

The Dutchess County District Attorney's Office Drug Task Force says that it has been continuing a push to investigate narcotic and dangerous drug sales in several locations, including in the Wappinger and Poughkeepsie areas.

Community members reached out to the Drug Task Force about a man selling narcotics and dangerous drugs while using aliases to hide his identity. The task force also received information that the man worked in a drug rehabilitation center as a drug counselor.

After an investigation, Drug Task Force agents identified 54-year-old Alvis J. Lewis Jr, of the Village of Wappingers Falls, as a drug dealer operating in the Wappinger and Poughkeepsie areas. Agents were able to purchase crack cocaine from Lewis throughout the investigation. In addition, agents verified through surveillance that Lewis did in fact work the overnight hours at an in-patient drug rehabilitation facility in Carmel.

Drug Task Force Agents then obtained a search warrant for Lewis’ residence as well as his vehicles.

On Tuesday evening, Drug Task Force agents, with the assistance of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Emergency Service Unit (SWAT), stopped Lewis while he was driving in the Town of Fishkill and took him into custody.

Drug Task Force agents and the Sheriff's Office then executed the warrant at his home on Sergeant Palmateer Way in the Village of Wappingers, leading to the seizure of crack cocaine packaged and ready for sale.

Lewis was charged with felony third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, intent to sell; and felony fourth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

He was later arraigned in the Village of Wappingers Falls Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center without bail. Several additional charges are pending in the case and will be filed by Drug Task Force agents, officials said.

If anyone has information about this case or about any others selling drugs in Dutchess County, they are urged to contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040 or to send an email to this address.