Convicted murderer sentenced on contraband charge in Columbia County

COLUMBIA COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A man who's serving 20 years to life for second-degree murder out of Dutchess County was sentenced on Wednesday for having contraband in the Hudson Correctional Facility. Jose Dugger, 44, pleaded guilty to knowingly making/possessing dangerous prison contraband in May.

According to the Columbia County District Attorney, Dugger was arrested in February after an incident in the prison in September 2023. Authorities say that at the time, Dugger allegedly possessed a homemade ice pick-type weapon- or shank, and a "weighted cloth-type weapon."

The shank was found after a search of Dugger's cell when he was transferred to another unit in the facility, per authorities. He is expected to be transferred to another state facility in the near future.