New Paltz Man Arrested With Illegal Firearm, Drugs: Police

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Police accused a New Paltz man of having an illegal firearm and illegal drugs after a report of suspicious activity.

The Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department sent officers to the area of Magnolia Lane Friday, where they found Eric P. Nichol, 42, of New Paltz.

During the investigation, police said Nichol had a loaded illegal firearm and a quantity of narcotics.

He was taken into custody and held pending arraignment.

Police said more narcotics were discovered at a nearby location Nichol had rented.

He was charged with:

• Two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, felonies
• Second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony
• Fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony
• Criminal possession of a firearm, a felony
• Seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor
• Fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor
• Second-degree obstruction of governmental administration, a misdemeanor.

On Saturday, Nichol was arraigned in the Town of Poughkeepsie Court. He was sent to the Dutchess County Jail with no bail.