High-Profile Community Member Accused Of Selling Drugs In HV

A Hudson Valley man in the public eye is accused of selling drugs in a place you won't believe.

The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force announced an arrest was made following an investigation.

Dutchess County Taxi Driver Arrested

Dutchess County Sheriff's Office

Police started an investigation following allegations that 52-year-old Howard J. Nugent, a taxi driver in Dutchess County, was selling drugs out of his home on Van Wagner Road and while driving his taxi.

For all the news that the Hudson Valley is sharing, make sure to follow Hudson Valley Post on Facebook and download the Hudson Valley Post Mobile

Undercover agents purchased cocaine from Nugent on several occasions in several areas within the Town of Poughkeepsie and other places in the county, police say.

Taxi Driver Flees Police

Dutchess County Sheriff's Office

A search warrant was obtained by investigators after the alleged multiple drug purchases.

On Tuesday, members of the Dutchess County SWAT team, New York State Police, and the Town of Poughkeepsie Police searched for Nugent near his home.

Once they spotted him, he's accused of fleeing a marked Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services and striking an unmarked Sheriff’s Office vehicle before leaving the roadway and striking a light pole.

Can You Guess: Beloved Coffee Chain In New York Named "Worst In America"

According to police, the raid of his home and taxi led to the seizure of large quantities of cocaine packaged for sale.

Dutchess County Sheriff's Office

Charges

Nugent was charged with:

2 Counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree, intent to sell, a class B Felony.
1 Count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree, a class B Felony.

Officials say that not many other charges are pending.

Keep Reading: Costco To Replace Ghost Neighborhood In Upstate New York

"If anyone has information regarding this case or about any other individuals selling drugs in Dutchess County, you are urged to contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040 or by emailing your tips to Drugtaskforcetips@gmail.com," officials said in a press release.

These 6 New York Counties Have The Most Drug Overdose Deaths

New York State officials are worried because overdose death rates increased by 85 percent. Below are the top 6 counties in terms of opioid overdose deaths per 100,000.

Keep Reading:

15 Worst Small Places To Live In New York State

WalletHub looked at the worst small cities to live in. Below are the 15 places in New York deemed the worst to live in. WalletHub based the rankings on 45 key indicators of livability.