Wanted Dutchess County Woman Arrested After Struggle With Police

A Dutchess County woman wanted after a prostitution investigation in Ulster County was arrested after she allegedly offered an undercover officer sex for money in Orange County.

In the early hours Sept. 4, members of Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT) arrested several people following a prostitution investigation in the Town of New Paltz.

One of the defendants, Alexa M. Stefanchik, 25, of Hopewell Junction, provided identity information of a relative at the time of arrest and later failed to appear in court, police say.

A bench warrant for Stefanchik’s arrest for offering a false instrument for filing, a felony, among other charges, was issued. She was also wanted by the Poughkeepsie and Fishkill Police Departments, authorities say.

On Monday, URGENT developed information that Stefanchik was in Orange County. An undercover officer allegedly arranged to meet her at a gas station in the Town of Newburgh to engage in sex for money.

Stefanchik arrived at the location and after a struggle, which included the use of a Taser, she taken into custody, police say.

She was arraigned in Marbletown Justice Court on her existing warrant from New Paltz and was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $150,000 secured bond.

After her arraignment, Stefanchik was additionally charged with prostitution and resisting arrest, misdemeanors.