Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Joseph Crocco was sentenced to 15 years in prison for selling guns, fentanyl, and crack cocaine in Poughkeepsie, New York, according to a Mar. 18 announcement by United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton. Crocco was convicted in June 2025 after a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel, who imposed the sentence.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about repeat offenders dealing dangerous drugs and firearms in local communities. Authorities say such crimes threaten public safety and contribute to violence.
According to evidence presented at trial and statements made in court, Crocco sold narcotics and firearms from his residence between June and July 2024 to an undercover New York State Police officer. The transactions included fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, cutting agents like xylazine (also known as “tranq”), two loaded semi-automatic handguns, and boxes of ammunition.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Crocco’s home on July 24, 2024, recovering additional narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and ammunition. Officials said Crocco had prior felony convictions—including voluntary manslaughter—that prohibited him from possessing firearms. At the time of these offenses, he was on supervised release following a federal bank robbery conviction.
In addition to the prison term, Crocco received three years of supervised release and must forfeit all firearms and ammunition involved in the offense. Clayton praised the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the New York State Police; and the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Levander, Reyhan Watson, and Benjamin Klein from the Office’s White Plains Division.
