11 Suspected Drug Dealers Arrested in Newburgh Area

Adam Devine

NEWBURGH, NY – 11 suspected drug dealers have been arrested in Newburgh. Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler said eleven defendants have been charged with crimes pertaining to the trafficking of crack cocaine and heroin throughout the City of Newburgh, and surrounding areas.

“The arrests are part of a multi-agency investigation and enforcement action conducted by the Orange County Drug Task Force (OCDTF), the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Investigations and Patrol divisions, the Town of New Windsor Police Department, the Town of Wallkill Police Department, and the City of Port Jervis Police Department, who were assisted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center and the City of Newburgh Police Department Detective Bureau,” the D.A.’s office said. “Over the course of the past several months, undercover investigators purchased quantities of narcotics from individuals in and around the City of Newburgh and the Town of Wallkill.  The narcotics purchased include crack cocaine as well as heroin.”

Police said nine of the defendants were arrested and charged with crimes including Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, for the sale of narcotics to undercover police officers.

“Two of those charged, Mackensie Arias and Rahjeem Russell, are wanted on arrest warrants for charges including Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.  The District Attorney’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in the apprehension of Arias, 22, and Russell, 26.  Anyone having information regarding the whereabouts of either men should contact local law enforcement,” police said.


In 2019, “bail reform” legislation was enacted that severely limits the courts’ ability to set bail for offenses involving narcotics sales.  In narcotics sweeps in Orange County prior to the legislation, some bail was set by the court for almost all defendants charged with selling narcotics.  Although the District Attorney’s Office has requested bail in every bail-eligible case, to date only two of the defendants charged were held on bail in connection with the enforcement action.

Last NameFirst NameAgeTop ChargeSubstance
AriasMackensie22Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance Third DegreeCrack/Cocaine
CottenWilliam27Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance Third DegreeCrack/Cocaine
RussellRahjeem26Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance Third DegreeCrack/Cocaine
RobinsonLamont36Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance Third DegreeCrack/Cocaine
LeidDonald28Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance Third DegreeCrack/Cocaine
WilliamsDevin25Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance Third DegreeCrack/Cocaine
HolmesCharles70Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance Third DegreeCrack/Cocaine
WilliamsKashon28Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance Third DegreeCrack/Cocaine
CromartieAljean20Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance Third DegreeCrack/Cocaine
GarciaDamien43Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance Third DegreeCrack/Cocaine
BarrettRasheed28Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance Third DegreeHeroin

“Intelligence and information gathered from narcotics operations, such as this one, helps to solve other crimes and is a key component in our overall criminal justice strategy,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Despite bail reform legislation that has prevented courts from setting bail in most instances on drug dealers, my Office will continue to pursue these actions and see the cases through to their conclusion.  That includes seeking lengthy prison sentences where appropriate.  The goal is to make and keep our streets safe and to maintain order.  We will not let the proliferation of drugs in our community go unchecked.  To the contrary, this and the other frequent narcotics enforcement actions developed and implemented by local law enforcement will continue to seek to hold accountable those who spread poison in our communities for profit.  I commend the dedicated and collaborative efforts of the Orange County Drug Task Force and all of the law enforcement agencies involved in this action.”

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