03/18/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/18/2026 09:01
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that Joseph Crocco was sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison for dealing guns, fentanyl, and crack in Poughkeepsie, New York, while on federal supervised release. In June 2025, the defendant was convicted following a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel, who imposed yesterday's sentence.
"Joseph Crocco sold deadly drugs and loaded guns to New Yorkers, understanding that they would be used to violent and poisonous ends," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. "New York families want repeat offenders, particularly those who deal in fentanyl and guns, off the streets. This sentence delivers that."
According to the allegations in the Indictment, the evidence at trial, court filings, and statements made in court:
Between June and July 2024, CROCCO sold narcotics and firearms from his residence in Poughkeepsie, New York, to an undercover New York State Police officer. During a series of controlled purchases made at CROCCO's home, CROCCO sold fentanyl, crack, cocaine, and cutting agents such as xylazine, also known as "tranq." CROCCO also sold two loaded semi-automatic handguns and boxes of ammunition to the undercover officer as part of one of the drug deals.
Firearms, Ammunition, and a Portion of the Drugs Sold by CROCCO
On July 24, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at CROCCO's residence and recovered additional narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and ammunition. CROCCO had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses that made it illegal for him to possess a firearm, including voluntary manslaughter. At the time he committed these offenses, CROCCO was on supervised release following a prior federal bank robbery conviction.
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In addition to the prison term, CROCCO, 49, of Poughkeepsie, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit all of the firearms and ammunition involved in the offense.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New York State Police, and the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department.
The case is being handled by the Office's White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Levander, Reyhan Watson, and Benjamin Klein are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Samantha Olsen.