Pine Plains man held on felony charge

PINE PLAINS — Hayez D. Prelich, 25, of Pine Plains, was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 2, by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of disseminating indecent material to minors following a lengthy investigation, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The Sheriff’s Office said Prelich initially was charged in early 2022 with disseminating indecent material to minors, a felony, by the Office’s Detective Bureau.

Prelich failed to appear in court after being charged, and a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to the Sheriff’s Office. On Wednesday, Nov. 2, he was located and arrested in New York City and was extradited to Dutchess County.

The Sheriff’s Office said Prelich was additionally charged with jumping bail, a felony, and criminal contempt, a misdemeanor. He is accused of sending indecent images to minors using social media.

Prelich was arraigned before the Town of Pine Plains Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash/$40,000 bond/$100,000 partially secured bond. As of Sunday, Nov. 6, Prelich remained in custody.

The Sheriff’s Office said the arrest resulted from the diligence of the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau and Pine Plains School Resource Officer, along with the assistance of the Dutchess County Drug Task Force and U.S. Marshals Regional Task Force.

If anyone has further information about this case, or similar incidents involving Mr. Prelich, they are urged to contact Detective Sistarenik at 845-486-3820. The Sheriff’s Office can also be contacted via the tipline at 845-605-2583 or dcsotips@gmail.com, and all information will be kept confidential.