9 Charged In Illegal Drug Smuggling Operation

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Nine men were indicted Friday for their roles in, what authorities call, a cocaine and methamphetamine smuggling operation. Dubbed "Operation Final Cut," the investigation seized more than 4 pounds of cocaine, 1 pound of methamphetamine pills, three loaded handguns and two high-capacity ammunition feeding devices.

The year-long operation, which began in August 2018, netted dealers and traffickers in Dutchess County, Bronx County and the state of Florida.

In Dutchess County, the case centered around several businesses in Poughkeepsie, including a pizzeria, cafe and barbershop.

State Attorney General Letitia James said her office will continue to go after any individual who tries to profit off of the sale of illegal drugs.

"Not only did these individuals bring dangerous drugs into our communities, but they put their children and families in harm's way by using their businesses as storefronts for this operation," she said.

Those charged in the indictment were as follows:

• Vincenzo Dalia, 25, of Poughkeepsie
• Kareem Devaughn, 39, of Bronx
• Matthew Haddad, 33, of Poughkeepsie
• Tony Jarrett, 35, of Poughkeepsie
• Scott Mittelstaedt, 47, of Coconut Creek, Florida
• Christian Myers, 38, of Poughkeepsie
• Rishad Thomas, 40, of Poughkeepsie
• Sean Willingham, 37, of Bronx
• Jamal Wimbus, 35, of Bronx

The investigation included hundreds of hours of physical surveillance, wiretapping, covert cameras and undercover operations.

During the course of wiretapping, prosecutors said, conspirators frequently utilized coded and cryptic terminology in an attempt to disguise their illicit trafficking, such as referring to orders of cocaine as "cuts" and "white girl."

According to the indictment, cocaine was supplied to Tony Jarrett for resale by Vincenzo Dalia and others to customers in Dutchess County. Dalia additionally purchased quantities of what he believed to be Adderall, but was in fact methamphetamine from Florida for resale.

Dalia also purchased quantities of what he believed to be ecstasy, but was again methamphetamine, from Matthew Haddad, for resale.

Haddad would obtain the pills from his supplier, Christian Myers, and on occasion bring them to Dalia a Dalia's family-owned pizzeria in Poughkeepsie for resale for customers, authorities said.

During one occasion, Haddad bought his child to a meeting to exchange pills for money.

The indictment charges the nine men with 168 crimes, including various counts of felony criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy to commit those crimes.

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