Police

Jailed parolee indicted for dealing drugs in Riverhead

Andre Coach mug shot (Credit: New York State Police)
Andre Coach mug shot (Credit: New York State Police)

A Riverhead parolee who had twice been convicted of attempted drug dealing is facing a new felony charge after a police task force investigation found the man had sold drugs in Riverhead nearly a year ago, according to police and court documents. 

Andre Coach, 38, is accused of selling less than half an ounce of a “narcotic drug” on East Main Street in exchange for cash the night of Aug. 13, 2013, according to a criminal charge filed against him in Riverhead town court.

The arrest came as part of an investigation by the East End Drugs Task Force, town police reported. He has since been indicted by a Suffolk County grand jury, online records show.

Mr. Coach was one of three people arrested by state police during a traffic stop on Sunrise Highway last month.

According to a police statement, Mr. Coach — who was a passenger in the car — was caught with PCP and cocaine after police pulled over the vehicle’s driver for weaving in and out of his lane late on June 5.

Mr. Coach was charged with felony criminal possession of a narcotic drug as well as a misdemeanor and felony charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance, state police said.

Mr. Coach had been on parole for two months following his release on a 2010 conviction for felony attempted assault and criminal drugs possession, according to online records. He faces a parole violation due to his most recent arrest.

The Riverhead man had also previously served prison time for two separate convictions of attempted drug sales in 1997 and 2006, the records show.

Mr. Coach was being held on the felony drug charges relating to his June arrest when he was brought to Riverhead Town court on Friday. He was charged with felony criminal sale of a controlled substance and taken back to jail without bail.

He remains in custody in Yaphank while awaiting arraignment on the grand jury indictment this Friday.

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