FB Marketplace Meetup Now Felony Charge For Poughkeepsie Juvenile

A juvenile was arrested on felony charges this past week following a late October Facebook Marketplace sale gone wrong.

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Attempted Robbery and Menacing Charges For Local Teen

A seemingly innocent internet sale meetup went terribly wrong on Thursday October 30, 2025. The City of Poughkeepsie PBA reports that the juvenile suspect arranged to purchase merchandise over Facebook Marketplace, and when meeting for the exchange 'displayed a firearm upon meeting the seller.'

Police report that the victim was able to safely flee the area.

Following the incident on 10/30, a Neighborhood Recovery Unit investigation was initiated on the basis of the attempted gun point robbery. On December 17th, officers arrested the 16 year-old juvenile male suspect for attempted robbery in the second degree (a felony) and the misdemeanor of menacing in the second degree.

The 16-year-old, whose identity has not been released, was remanded to a secure detention facility.

READ MORE: Increased Law Enforcement On Hudson Valley Roads Through New Year's Day

Internet Sale Exchange Safety

Police reminded residents to be vigilant when using platforms such as Marketplace and Craigslist to make purchases and meet up with buyers.

Meet in well lit public areas, ideally under video surveillance and beware of deals that seem too good to be true.

While not at all required to make exchanges at police stations, several police departments in (and near) the Hudson Valley offer designated areas for just this reason. East Fishkill, the Town of Fishkill, Mahopac/Carmel, City of Hudson, Orangetown, Ossning and Yorktown all offer "Safe Exchange Zones" or areas specifically for "Internet Purchase Exchange Zones" in their parking lots. These spots are well lit, and under 24/7 surveillance.