Suffolk D.A. Tierney: Jury finds Riverhead man guilty on felony drug charges

A Riverhead man was convicted after a jury trial on felony drug charges stemming from the execution of a search warrant at his apartment in December 2021, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced yesterday.

Joseph Douglas, 42, was found guilty on two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony, and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

Douglas is due back in court for sentencing on July 10, 2023, and faces up to 15 years in prison, Tierney said in a press release.

“This verdict is a warning to all those who think they can sell dangerous drugs in Suffolk County – you will be caught, and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Tierney said.

Douglas was arrested after officers from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the East End Drug Task Force, the Riverhead Police Department Detective Division, the Riverhead Police COPE Unit, Riverhead Police K-9, and Suffolk County Police Emergency Service Unit executed a court-ordered search warrant during an early-morning raid at Douglas’ apartment at 726 East Main Street on Dec. 5, 2021. During the search, officers recovered in excess of one-half ounce of cocaine, three digital scales, and cash, according to prosecutors.

He was found guilty yesterday after a jury trial before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro.

The district attorney’s office said yesterday Douglas has prior convictions in 1998 for Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, in 2003 for Attempted Promoting Prison Contraband in the First Degree, and in 2015 for Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.