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A man from Makawao who was arrested last year when police seized more than 400 suspected fentanyl tablets is facing federal prosecution for allegedly selling the drugs to a man who died after seeking treatment for an overdose of fentanyl.
Jose Camacho, 30, pleaded not guilty to distributing fentanyl causing grievous bodily harm, distributing fentanyl causing death and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Camacho was arraigned on September 2 in U.S. District Court in Honolulu after an indictment was entered by a federal grand jury on August 19, according to court records.
After being held at the Maui Community Correctional Center in lieu of a $ 250,000 bond following his October 2 arrest, Camacho was transferred to the Honolulu Federal Detention Center.
The state drug charges against him were dismissed without prejudice because the lawsuits were passed by the federal government, court records show.
The federal indictment alleges that Camacho sold fentanyl on August 27, 2020, and that serious bodily injury and death resulted from the use of the drug. He is accused of selling fentanyl from August 2 to October 2, 2020, when officers from the police Crime Reduction Unit arrested him.
From Camacho and his residence, police reported seizing more than 400 bruises “contraband” pills that looked like oxycodone but contained fentanyl, as well as methamphetamine and $ 1,165 in cash. Police were investigating Camacho after receiving reports of people overdosing on counterfeit pills.
In a preliminary hearing last year for Camacho, police confirmed the unattended death on August 28, 2020 of a man who allegedly bought pills from Camacho.
In federal court last week, magistrate judge Rom Trader ordered Camacho to be kept in custody pending trial, as the government had requested.
The court order noted that Camacho could face a long period of incarceration if convicted, has a history of alcohol or drug abuse, and has significant family or other ties outside the United States.
Camacho “Presents a serious risk of danger to the community”, according to the order.
He said the government said Camacho sold fentanyl to the other man on two consecutive days “even after learning that the deceased had just been released from hospital after seeking treatment for a fentanyl overdose.”
After Camacho sold the extra fentanyl to the man, he was found dead the next morning, according to the government.
“The court concludes that the defendant who did so demonstrates a complete disregard for the well-being of those to whom he chooses to sell fentanyl”, said the order. “In the opinion of this Court, such behavior places the community in serious danger if the defendant continues to engage in such behavior if released.”
A February 8 trial is scheduled for Camacho.
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