RONKONKOMA MAN INDICTED FOR SELLING FENTANYL PILLS AND RUNNING OVER A POLICE OFFICER

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Christian Castillo, 20, of Ronkonkoma, was indicted for allegedly selling pressed fentanyl pills and running down a Suffolk County Police Department Officer with his vehicle while attempting to evade arrest at the scene of a fatal drug overdose.

“This is yet another reminder of the dangers that police officers face on a daily basis. This defendant allegedly attempted to evade arrest, by running down a Suffolk County Police Officer with his vehicle,” said District Attorney Tierney. “That, combined with the defendant’s alleged sale of fentanyl, illustrates his disregard for the safety of others. My office is committed to protect all residents of Suffolk County, including our law enforcement partners.”

According to the investigation, in April 2022, the Suffolk County Police Department received information that Castillo was selling counterfeit oxycodone pills.  On April 26, 2022 and April 28, 2022, law enforcement was able to secure a quantity of pressed pills from the defendant.  During a series of communications, the drugs requested were described as “blues,” which is a common street term for oxycodone.

Law enforcement received a quantity of blue pills which displayed the markings of oxycodone pills. An analysis of the pills conducted by the Suffolk County Criminal Laboratory concluded they were fentanyl, not oxycodone. Thereafter, the investigation was continued by the Suffolk County Police Department.

On March 10, 2023, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Narcotics Bureau was alerted about the case after members of the Suffolk County Police Department responded to a residence in Lindenhurst for a fatal drug overdose after the victim was discovered by a friend in a bedroom inside the residence the day before. Law enforcement recovered 95 blue pressed fentanyl pills from the scene. A review of the victim’s cellphone led detectives to Castillo.

A Suffolk County Police Department detective, using the victim’s cellphone, was able to contact Castillo and arrange for the sale of narcotics. Upon Castillo’s arrival, members of the Suffolk County Police Department approached him while he sat in his vehicle. Castillo fled the scene, and in doing so, struck two police vehicles, causing damage to both. Castillo continued to drive away, and struck a police officer, causing the officer to launch over the hood of Castillo’s vehicle, and crash into the front windshield. The impact shattered Castillo’s windshield and caused physical injury to the police officer. Castillo then abandoned his vehicle on a residential street in Lindenhurst. After a month-long man hunt, Castillo was found in a residence in Moriches. When members of the Suffolk County Police Department approached Castillo, he again attempted to flee, but was apprehended at that location.

On May 10, 2023, Castillo was arraigned on the indictment by Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard I. Horowitz, for the crimes of:

• Two counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony;
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony,
• One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony;
• Two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, a Class E felony; and
• One count of Resisting Arrest, a Class A misdemeanor.

Judge Horowitz ordered Castillo to be held on $500,000 cash, $1 million bond or $1.5 million partially secured bond. He is due back in court on June 6, 2023 and is being represented by Michael Finkelstein, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Danielle Davis of the Narcotics Bureau.

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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