Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh and Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, NY Division, announced the arrests of two residents from Congers, NY for possession of a controlled substance and two handguns. The arrests were the result of search warrants executed last week, stemming from a month’s long investigation conducted by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Westchester Resident Office Tactical Diversion Squad.

On Friday February 10, 2023, the Rockland County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force and DEA Tactical Diversion Squad executed the search warrants at residences in Congers, NY and Nyack, NY. The basis of the search warrant was the result of a multi- agency investigation that identified a Rockland man who was selling a large amount of controlled substances throughout Rockland County. With the assistance of the Clarkstown Police Department’s Critical Incident Response Team and the Orangetown Police Department, both the suspected drug dealer and an acquaintance of his were taken into custody. Carl Desir, 48, of Congers, NY and Melissa Brown, 43, of Congers, NY were arrested and charged with the following crimes:

Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 1st Degree (A-I felony)

Criminal Possession Weapon 2nd Degree (two counts) (C felony)

Criminal Possession Weapon 3rd Degree (D felony)

Both defendants were arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court and were remanded to Rockland County Jail. They are scheduled to return to court on February 16, 2023. The multi-agency investigation included the Rockland County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, DEA Westchester Resident Office Tactical Diversion Squad, Clarkstown Police Department, Orangetown Police Department, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, and the Haverstraw Police Department. The DEA Westchester Resident Office comprises agents and task force officers of the DEA, Westchester County Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Yonkers Police Department, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, and Orangetown Police Department. The case will be prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Michael Delohery and Senior Assistant District Attorney Matt Martinez.

DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino stated: “These arrests and seizures take two major threats off our streets: guns and drugs. Drug traffickers like Desir profit off the sale of narcotics putting our communities in danger of addiction, overdoses and poisonings. I applaud the hard work by all of our law enforcement partners throughout this investigation aimed at making our communities safer and healthier.”

District Attorney Tom Walsh said, “Keeping our streets and communities safe from dangerous drugs and violence is a top priority of my Office. I have pledged to use every available resource to investigate and prosecute drug dealers selling their poison to our children. These arrests are another example of my Office working with local and federal agencies to bring justice to our community. I commend the outstanding work performed by all our law enforcement partners.”

The Rockland County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force is comprised of investigators of the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office and officers from the Clarkstown Police Department, Orangetown Police Department, the Haverstraw Police Department and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office.

DA Walsh would like to thank Cathy and Lisa from Hope Not Handcuffs – Hudson Valley, NY for attending today’s press conference and the work they do helping individuals struggling with substance abuse get treatment.

Video of the press conference can be viewed at the link below –

* It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.