POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Drug Task Force, assisted by the new Smart Prosecution, Strategic Intelligence and Violence Elimination Unit, and Dangerous Drugs Unit at the DA’s Office, arrested five individuals in connection with the alleged sale and distribution of large quantities of narcotics in the Poughkeepsie area this week. The arrests were part of Operation Fast Track and occurred between July 20 and July 28, 2026.
All five of the suspects have been arrested on drug charges in the past. Four have been paroled after serving prison sentences, and Marlene Sosa was a security guard at the Pods shelter where she was arrested in 2024 for selling cocaine in the facility.
The coordinated investigation is part of a coordinated initiative to reduce violent crime and disrupt the distribution of dangerous drugs within the City of Poughkeepsie.
The Drug Task Force used the Smart Prosecution Unit to identify individuals known to law enforcement who were allegedly operating in areas associated with drug trafficking, violent crime, and persistent criminal activity. Through strategic intelligence gathering and targeted enforcement, investigators prioritized individuals whose alleged continued criminal conduct presented the greatest threat to public safety, according to Detective Sergeant Adam Harris of the Drug Task Force.
As part of the investigation, task force agents made controlled purchases of significant quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine from multiple individuals identified through Fast Track. Agents worked quickly to develop strong cases, coordinate the arrests, and preserve the integrity of the continuing investigation.
The following individuals were arrested as a result of the investigation:
- Jimmy Owens, 51, of the City of Poughkeepsie, was arrested on July 20, 2026, in Milford, Connecticut, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations. His charges include felony criminal sale of a controlled substance and additional charges are pending.. Owens was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail. Owens previously spent time in prison for criminal possession of a controlled substance and was paroled approximately one month ago.
- Marlene Sosa, 34, of the City of Poughkeepsie, was arrested on July 21, 2026, for felony criminal sale of a controlled substance, and additional charges are pending. Sosa was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail. In 2024, Sosa worked as a security guard for Hudson River Housing and was assigned to the Pods shelter where she was arrested for selling cocaine at the shelter.
- Sequamn Storts, 51, of the City of Poughkeepsie, was arrested on July 28, 2026, for felony criminal sale of a controlled substance, and additional charges are pending. He was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail. Storts spent time in prison for criminal possession of a controlled substance and was paroled in 2024.
- Jateek Owens, 33, of the City of Poughkeepsie, was arrested on July 29, 2026. for felony criminal sale of a controlled substance, with additional charges pending. Following arraignment, he was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail.
- Steven Baum, 54, of the City of Poughkeepsie, was arrested on July 28, 2026, for felony criminal sale of a controlled substance with additional charges pending. The convicted felon was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail following arraignment. Baum spent three years in prison for criminal possession of a controlled substance and was paroled on December 31, 2024.
District Attorney Anthony Parisi said, “The launch of our Smart Prosecution, Strategic Intelligence and Violence Elimination Unit represents a fundamental shift toward a more focused, intelligence-driven approach to public safety. We are bringing prosecutors, investigators and analysts together at the beginning of an investigation to identify the individuals and criminal networks causing the greatest harm and build strong, comprehensive cases against them. Operation Fast Track demonstrates exactly what this unit was created to accomplish.”
Anyone with information concerning these cases or other individuals selling dangerous drugs in Dutchess County is urged to contact the Drug Task Force’s confidential tip line at 845-463-6040, email , or submit a tip through the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office website at
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