Sheriff Brian Hess announces the arrest of Dennis M. Bussanich, 45, of Poughkeepsie, New York, and Karleen Carter, 37, of Poughkeepsie, New York, following an investigation at the Home Depot in the Town of Southeast.
On September 15, 2026, at approximately 6:22 p.m., members of the Sheriff’s Office Conditions Unit observed Bussanich loading stolen merchandise into a vehicle in the parking lot of Home Depot, located at 80 Independent Way in the Town of Southeast.
Members of the Conditions Unit made contact with Carter, who was the driver of the vehicle. During that contact, members observed drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.
A subsequent investigation resulted in the recovery of a quantity of fentanyl, crack cocaine and Suboxone.
Bussanich was charged with:
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Narcotic Drug with Intent to Sell), a Class B felony
- Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A misdemeanor (two counts)
- Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor
- False Personation, a Class B misdemeanor
Carter was charged with:
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Narcotic Drug with Intent to Sell), a Class B felony
- Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A misdemeanor (two counts)
- Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor
Both defendants were arraigned in Town of Southeast Court. Dennis Bussanich was remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility. Karleen Carter was released on her own recognizance.
