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Four Dutchess Residents Charged In Drug Bust Following Investigations

DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. --  Four local residents have been charged with a variety of drug charges following three investigations by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force.

Austin Hicks, of Wappingers Falls, is one of four people arrested during a series of busts by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force.

Austin Hicks, of Wappingers Falls, is one of four people arrested during a series of busts by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force.

Photo Credit: Dutchess County Drug Task Force

On Wednesday, Nov. 30, the task force conducted an investigation into "suspicious activity" taking place at 605 Violet Ave in the Town of Hyde Park, according to Sgt. Vincent Stelmach. 

During the investigation, task force members found Austin Hicks, 26, of Wappingers Falls, was in possession of fentanyl, an opioid pain medicine, in addition to operating an indoor marijuana grow operation at the home, police said.

Hicks was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful growing of cannabis.

He was arraigned in the Town of Hyde Park court and released to Dutchess County Probation Office, police said.

In the next investigation, Robert Francis, 30, and Rahshaan Johnson, 29, both of the City of Poughkeepsie, were arrested on Friday, Dec. 2, at 159 Washington St., after officers found heroin, scales, $2,000 in cash and packaging materials, police said.

Francis was charged with felony criminal sale of a controlled substance and felony criminal possession of a controlled substance. Johnson was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance,  police said. 

Both are being held at the Dutchess County Jail.

Takiaya Stevens, 33, of Beacon, was arrested during the final investigation into reported drug sales taking place at 52 Ackerman St. in Beacon, on Thursday, Dec. 8.

Stevens was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance after task force members found crack cocaine, marijuana and $6,000 in cash, task force members said.

He is also being held without bail at the Dutchess County Jail.

Additional charges may be pending, the task force said.

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