Yonkers resident Michael Rodriguez, the 49-year-old Director of the Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence (B.R.A.G.) program, has plead guilty to drug and conspiracy charges in Orange County, New York.
The charges against Rodriguez are the result of a two-year investigation into cocaine trafficking centering on Angelica Rodriguez of Otisville. This probe conducted by the Middletown City Police Department and the Orange County Drug Taskforce, took a turn when conventional means failed to uncover the full extent of Rodriguez’s narcotics operation.
The District Attorney’s Office obtained court-ordered eavesdropping warrant, leading them to discover that the same cocaine suppliers serving Angelica Rodriguez also distributed drugs to traffickers in Port Jervis.
This shifted focus to Rodriguez, who was subsequently accused of supplying cocaine to dealers in both Middletown and Port Jervis. Upon executing a search warrant at Rodriguez’s Yonkers residence on July 26, investigators uncovered a substantial cache of evidence. This included over 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, $165,000 in cash, and two illegally possessed handguns. One unlicensed Ruger .380 caliber pistol and another unlicensed Bond Arms .357 caliber handgun. Additionally, authorities seized jewelry valued at approximately $50,000.
The plea
Rodriquez entered a guilty plea on Thursday, October 12, during a court appearance. At the plea proceedings, Michael Rodriguez admitted to conspiring with Angelica Rodriguez and supplying her with cocaine for resale. As a result, he pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree conspiracy.
When he returns to court on January 4, he faces a cumulative ten-year prison term; followed by five years of supervised release. Rodriguez also agreed to forfeit a car and $165,000 as ill-gotten proceeds from his criminal activities.
In response to this development, District Attorney Hoovler expressed his dismay.
It is appalling that the Director of a respected program which serves to reduce gun violence and help at-risk youth would himself be a major drug dealer. Those members of our community who suffer through addiction are the vulnerable prey to people like this defendant, who chose a comfortable life cultivated on the backs and over the bodies of his customers.
David Hoovler – Orange County District Attorney
The crimes of Michael Rodriguez exemplify the reach of the drug crisis and the efforts required to combat it.
