Ten people have been charged in a 153-count indictment tied to an alleged cocaine trafficking operation in the Hudson Valley cocaine trafficking, according to the New York Attorney General’s Office.
Authorities say the investigation began in November 2024 and used surveillance, court-authorized wiretaps, phone records and law-enforcement databases.
Investigators recovered more than one kilogram of cocaine with an estimated street value of about $30,000 and more than $12,500 in cash allegedly connected to drug sales, according to the state’s account.
The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Ten defendants named
The indictment names the following defendants:
- Michael Brown;
- John J. Dangelo II;
- Lawerence A. Falcetta Jr.;
- Michael P. Felicello;
- Deborah A. Foster;
- Jose A. Garcia;
- Jorge Lee;
- Joshua A. Mintz;
- Eric S. Oremus; and
- Ernesto R. Rodriguez Jr.
The case involves alleged activity connected to communities including Newburgh in Orange County, Wallkill and Marlboro in Ulster County, and Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County.
Investigation began in 2024
Authorities say the investigation started in November 2024. Investigators used traditional surveillance along with court-authorized interception of cellphone communications and review of phone and law-enforcement records.
Those investigative methods are commonly used in larger narcotics cases where prosecutors are trying to establish relationships among multiple alleged participants rather than prove a single transaction.
Police and prosecutors said the investigation led to the seizure of more than a kilogram of cocaine and more than $12,500 in cash.
Top charge carries significant prison exposure
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the indictment includes felony narcotics offenses. The state said a defendant convicted of the top charge of first-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance could face a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
The actual sentence in any case would depend on the charges of conviction, criminal history and other factors considered by the court.
“Drug trafficking has a direct impact on the safety and quality of life of the communities we serve,” one law-enforcement statement said, adding that the investigation showed the importance of agencies sharing resources and information.
What a 153-count indictment means
A large indictment can contain many separate counts tied to different alleged sales, possession offenses, conspiracies or defendants. It does not mean every defendant faces all 153 counts.
Each charge must still be proven against the individual defendant named in that count. Defense attorneys can challenge the evidence, the legality of searches or wiretaps, identification, chain of custody and other parts of the prosecution’s case.
Regional significance
The case highlights the continued use of multi-agency investigations to target alleged drug-distribution networks operating across county lines. The Hudson Valley’s network of highways and population centers can make narcotics investigations regional rather than confined to a single police jurisdiction.
For the public, the key distinction is between an indictment and a conviction. A grand jury indictment means prosecutors presented enough evidence to bring formal charges. It is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt and is not a finding of guilt.
Arraignments and future court proceedings will determine how the cases move forward. Utica Phoenix will update this report if the Attorney General’s Office or courts release additional verified information.
Sources: New York Attorney General’s Office and NEWS10 ABC, Sept. 30, 2026.
