Amanda J. Purcell

Poughkeepsie Journal

A Dutchess County sheriff's deputy has been terminated after his arrest by federal agents for allegedly possessing marijuana for sale and production.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations in New York arrested ex-deputy Rosario J. Scavelli for charges related to the “possession of marijuana for sale and the production of marijuana.” Homeland Security would not specify what the charges were, details about the arrest and how the case may have tied back to New York and more specifically Dutchess County.

The federal investigation is being prosecuted by the Pima County District Attorney’s Office in Arizona and investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The district attorney's office declined to answer questions about the case, citing an ongoing investigation.

Capt. John Watterson, of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, said Scavelli was terminated after the sheriff's office learned of his arrest. He directed further questions about the details of his arrest to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Through a statement, the Homeland Security Investigations in New York is “unable to provide further information at this time."

Scavelli had been employed by the county as a part-time deputy sheriff since 2008, and earned $25 per hour.

“The duties of part-time deputies are to supplement the full-time staff as needed for patrol duties and details (security at events, traffic details, etc.),” Watterson said. “In his case, he rarely worked and was not normally assigned any patrol duties.”

When asked if the sheriff’s office will be doing its own internal investigation, Watterson said, “At this time there is no indication of wrongdoing from a personnel standpoint.”

Amanda J. Purcell: apurcell@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4807; Twitter: apurcell@poughkeepsiejournal.com.