Two charged with cocaine distribution

District Attorney David M. Hoovler of Orange County announced last week that two defendants charged in a two-year investigation into the sale of cocaine in Middletown and Port Jervis were arraigned on an indictment in Orange County Court last week.

Michael Rodriquez, 48, was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree and fourth-degree conspiracy.

Rodriguez, the director of the prominent anti-violence program the Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence, which receives government funding to promote safer streets in the Bronx, was returned to Orange County Jail without bail.

Angelica Rodriguez, 39, was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree and fourth-degree conspiracies. She was detained in lieu of $100,000 in cash bail, $500,000 in fully secured bond, or $750,000 in partial bond.

Both defendants pled not guilty to each and every charge.

The Middletown Police Department, with assistance from the Orange County Drug Taskforce and the Port Jervis Police Department, initially focused on alleged cocaine trafficking by Angelica Rodriguez, aka “Jelly,” in and around the city of Middletown.

Court-ordered eavesdropping allegedly revealed that those who supplied Angelica Rodriguez and her accomplices with cocaine to sell in Middletown also supplied drugs to drug dealers in Port Jervis.

Michael Rodriquez is accused of supplying cocaine to narcotics dealers in Middletown and Port Jervis and possessing two illegal handguns after a search warrant executed at his Yonkers residence resulted in the seizure of 1,516 grams (over 1.5 kilograms) of cocaine, $165,509 in U.S. currency, scales, a money counter, and an unlicensed Ruger.380 calibre pistol, an unlicensed Bond Arms.357 calibre handgun, a vacuum sealer, digital scales, and approximately $50,000 worth of jewellery.

Authorities claim that Michael Rodriguez regularly supplied cocaine to Angelica Rodriguez, who sold it in and around Middletown, and Taino Lopez, who sold it in Port Jervis.

According to authorities, Michael and Angelica Rodriguez are unrelated; other defendants in this case will be arraigned soon.

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