Drug task force storms Rip Van Winkle high rise in sweeping narcotics raids
Poughkeepsie, NY – A predawn operation inside a well-known city apartment tower ended with multiple arrests, drug seizures, and an assault rifle taken off the streets as investigators moved in on alleged narcotics activity inside the Rip Van Winkle high-rise.
According to the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, members of the Drug Task Force executed multiple search warrants during the early morning hours of Wednesday at the Rip Van Winkle high-rise apartment complex in the City of Poughkeepsie. The operation was carried out with assistance from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit, the Poughkeepsie SWAT team, and additional local law enforcement partners.
Investigators say the search warrants were the result of an extended investigation that included controlled purchases of narcotics from two separate apartments within the building. During the searches, agents seized narcotics, packaging materials, scales, cash, and an assault rifle.
As a result of the operation, two city residents were arrested. Stacey L. Shortes Jr., 37, of Poughkeepsie, was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree, a class B felony, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the fifth degree, a class D felony. Shortes was arraigned and released under the supervision of probation as ordered by the City of Poughkeepsie Court.
Glenn D. Knapp, 40, also of Poughkeepsie, was arrested on charges related to narcotics sales inside the apartment complex and possession of an assault weapon. Knapp was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree, a class B felony; Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the fourth degree, a class C felony; and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the third degree, a class D violent felony. He was remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transitions Center by the Dutchess County Court.
Officials said the Drug Task Force was assisted throughout the investigation by the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, the City of Poughkeepsie Police Neighborhood Recovery Unit, and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Patrol and Detective Bureaus.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with information regarding these cases or other suspected drug activity in Dutchess County is encouraged to contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040 or submit tips by email to drugtaskforcetips@gmail.com.
Key Points
- Multiple search warrants were executed at the Rip Van Winkle high-rise during an early morning operation
- Two Poughkeepsie men were arrested and face felony drug and weapon charges
- Investigators seized narcotics, cash, and an assault rifle