Judge releases felony drug dealer, who gets busted again 11 days later

Andre Cruz had prior drug related charges in Florida and one minor arrest since moving here a year ago

Newark Village Police Department arrested Andre M. Cruz, age 24, of 407 East Miller Street on Christmas Eve following a Wayne County Grand Jury indictment was handed down for two counts each of felony Criminal Possession and Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree-crack cocaine.

Cruz was remanded to jail on No Bail pending arraignment after the holidays. At his arraignment before Wayne County Judge John Nesbitt, the Wayne County District Attorney's Office recommended $25,000 cash/$50,000 bond. Cruz had a minor arrest record in New York State , but numerous for drug related crimes in Florida and had an outstanding, no-extradition warrant out of Brevard County , Florida .

According to police, Cruz pleaded with Judge Nesbitt who remanded him to jail on $1000 cash/$2000 bond. On December 27th, with a public defender representing him, Cruz was released on a pre-trial basis on No Bail. The requirement put on him at the time was that he stay within his residence and call in to pre-trial for check ups, according to police.

Within days, Cruz was reportedly up to his old tricks. On Friday a police undercover officer went to the 407 East Miller address and Cruz reportedly sold the officer a powdered substance. He was taken into custody for Selling an Imitation Controlled Substance, with other charges possibly pending.

Wayne County District Attorney Rick Healy recommended $10,000 cash/$20,000 bond on the new charges. Cruz was arraigned and remanded back to the Wayne County Jail.