Poughkeepsie Narcotics Dealer Arrested In Connection With Multiple Overdose Deaths From Fentanyl-Laced Heroin

 

Allen Peloquin Arrested for Causing Overdose Deaths of Two Individuals and Participating in a Narcotics Conspiracy Responsible for Two Additional Overdose Deaths

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Tim Foley, the Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and Kirk Imperati, the Acting Sheriff of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, announced the unsealing of a criminal complaint in White Plains federal court charging ALLEN PELOQUIN, a/k/a “Ace,” with distributing fentanyl-laced heroin that resulted in the death of a woman in Carmel, New York (“Victim-2”) on or about February 12, 2020 and a man in Poughkeepsie, New York (“Victim-4”) on or about May 10, 2020.  The complaint also charges PELOQUIN with participating in a narcotics conspiracy that distributed fentanyl-laced heroin that resulted in the deaths of Victims-2 and -4 as well as in the death of a man in Poughquag, New York (“Victim-1”) on or about January 2, 2020 and the death of a woman in Poughkeepsie, New York (“Victim-3”) on or about May 4, 2020.  PELOQUIN was arrested this morning in Poughkeepsie, New York, and was presented this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, the defendant and others distributed heroin laced with the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl and caused the death of four victims.  The defendant is now in custody and facing serious federal charges.  Working with our state, county, and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to hold accountable the dealers who push this lethal poison, exploit addiction, and further the devastating impact of the opioid crisis in our communities.”

DEA Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Tim Foley said: “With a daily rate of nearly 300 drug overdose deaths, it has never been more important to warn the public of the dangers of today’s illegal drugs.  Synthetic drugs like fentanyl are mixed intentionally with other street drugs causing two thirds of overdose deaths.  I applaud the diligent work by all of our law enforcement partners throughout this investigation which has led to Peloquin’s arrest.”

Acting Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati said: “The prosecution of Mr. Peloquin in connection with these tragic deaths comes as the result of the partnership between various law enforcement agencies and their strong commitment to holding those who sell drugs in our communities responsible.  Distributing illegal narcotics that take lives, and ruin others, will not be tolerated and the prosecution of Mr. Peloquin sends a strong message that law enforcement will stop at nothing to hold those who engage in this activity accountable.”

As alleged in the Complaint:[1]

From at least in or about January 2020 up to and including at least in or about May 2020, PELOQUIN and others distributed and sold fentanyl-laced heroin throughout Dutchess County in glassine bags stamped with distinctive red images and wording and were responsible for the overdose deaths of at least four individuals:  Victims-1, -2, -3 and -4.  After the deaths of Victims-1 and -2, the wording and image of the red stamp changed in an apparent effort to evade law enforcement while continuing to distribute the same lethal narcotics.  Upon further investigation by law enforcement—including several undercover purchases of fentanyl-laced heroin from PELOQUIN and certain of his co-conspirators in which the stamps on the bags purchased matched those on the bags found with Victims-1 and -2—PELOQUIN was identified as the particular dealer who sold fold fentanyl-laced heroin to Victims-2 and -4, which resulted in their deaths.

ALLEN PELOQUIN, a/k/a “Ace,” 34, of Poughkeepsie, New York is charged with two counts of narcotics distribution resulting in the deaths of Victim-2 and Victim-4.  PELOQUIN is also charged with one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin resulting in the deaths of Victims-1, -2, -3, and -4.  Each the foregoing counts carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the DEA, the Dutchess County Drug Task Force (“DCDTF”), the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, the New York State Police, the Town of Kent Police Department, the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, the Dutchess County Probation Department, and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.  DCDTF includes agents and officers of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Beacon Police Department, the Town of Hyde Park Police Department, and the Town of East Fishkill Police Department.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, the Town of Lloyd Police, and the Ulster County Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (“URGENT”) for their invaluable assistance in this case.  URGENT includes agents and officers of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Lloyd Police, Town of Plattekill Police, Town of Woodstock Police, Town of Shandaken Police, Town of New Paltz Police, Village of Ellenville Police, Town of Marlborough Police, the Ulster County District Attorney, and Ulster County Probation.  Mr. Williams noted that the investigation is ongoing.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitutes only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.