Poughkeepsie Repeat Offender Sentenced to 15 Years for Trafficking Fentanyl and Firearms While on Federal Release

Repeat offender Joseph Crocco sentenced to 15 years for selling fentanyl and loaded guns in Poughkeepsie while on federal supervised release.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 11:16 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York

Judicial Sanctions for Narcotics and Weapons Trafficking

Joseph Crocco of Poughkeepsie has been ordered to serve 15 years in federal prison following a four day trial before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the sentencing concludes a case involving the distribution of fentanyl, crack cocaine, and semi automatic firearms. Prosecutors established that the defendant conducted these illegal transactions from his home, representing a significant breach of public safety in the Hudson Valley region.

Undercover Operation Targets Residential Distribution Point

The investigation into Crocco’s activities centered on a series of controlled purchases conducted by an undercover New York State Police officer between June and July 2024. According to court filings, the defendant sold the officer various illicit substances, including cocaine and the potent cutting agent xylazine, commonly referred to as "tranq." During one specific transaction, Crocco also provided the officer with two loaded handguns and multiple boxes of ammunition, further escalating the criminal nature of the enterprise.

Breach of Federal Supervised Release Conditions

At the time of his arrest, Crocco was already under the oversight of the federal justice system following a prior conviction for bank robbery. According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys handling the case, the defendant’s decision to engage in high level drug and arms trafficking while on supervised release demonstrated a flagrant disregard for judicial boundaries. Furthermore, Crocco’s extensive criminal history, which includes a felony conviction for voluntary manslaughter, legally prohibited him from possessing any form of weaponry or ammunition.