POUGHKEEPSIE – Forty-six-year-old Miguel Lora of Poughkeepsie was arrested Thursday morning just minutes before special police units executed a search warrant at his Center Street residence. Lora, with a previous felony gun conviction, was charged with two felony counts of criminal possession of a weapon, one felony count of criminal possession of a weapon – assault weapon, and a violation of unlawful possession of cannabis on Thursday. Additional charges are pending against Lora, according to the police. He was held pending arraignment.
On Thursday morning, police performed a traffic stop of a vehicle that Lora was in near 400 Maple Street (westbound arterial). Lora was taken into custody during the traffic stop.
Moments later, at about 10:03 a.m., the City of Poughkeepsie Police Neighborhood Recovery Unit (NRU), along with members of the F.B.I. Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, New York State Police S.I.U., and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at Lora’s residence at 7 Center Street, in the City of Poughkeepsie, as part of an ongoing investigation.
A search of Lora and the residence led to the discovery and seizure of an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle with ammunition, two loaded, 9mm semi-automatic handguns, three body armor vests; one of which had ballistic plates designed to deflect rifle rounds, $2,750 cash, $3,700 of other financial instruments, 618 grams of marijuana, scales, packaging materials, a cell phone, and an undisclosed amount of silver.
“The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department is committed to an evidence-based policing strategy and as such, will target ‘hot spot’ areas along the Main Street corridor for police initiatives,” Police Captain Rich Wilson told Mid-Hudson News on Sunday evening. “This investigation, arrest, and recovery of several illegally possessed firearms were part of the initiative,” the captain added.
Community members with information regarding the sale of narcotics, gang activity, or gun violence are encouraged to contact the City of Poughkeepsie Police Neighborhood Recovery Unit at 845-451-4060. For active situations or emergencies call 911 or 845-451-4000.
