Grand Forks man accused of distributing fentanyl inside jail
Mar. 13—GRAND FORKS — A Grand Forks County Correctional Center inmate is accused of distributing fentanyl within the jail after returning from his initial court appearance, allegedly smuggling the drugs in by concealing them inside his court paperwork, according to court documents.
Jeremie Richard Castoreno, 42, was charged Wednesday, March 12, with Class A felony controlled substance delivery in a correctional facility, which has a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
On Dec. 2, the Grand Forks Narcotics Task Force responded to the GFCCC for two inmates who had overdosed, according to a declaration of probable cause summary filed in the case. They administered Narcan before transporting the individuals to Altru Hospital.
A task force officer reviewed video surveillance of the jail pod from that day, and observed Castoreno returning from court with his paperwork in hand, the declaration said. A little more than an hour-and-a-half into the video, Castoreno and another inmate are seen going into a cell, and another person enters the same cell within one minute.
Castoreno exits the cell after being inside it for approximately nine minutes, carrying his court paperwork, this time folded in half, the declaration said.
GFCCC staff were called nearly two hours into the video to assist the other two inmates, who were found unresponsive with labored breathing, according to the declaration. Task force agents alleged finding Castoreno's paperwork with a corner of the paper ripped off, as well as a paper bindle containing a white powder that later tested presumptively positive for fentanyl.
Castoreno had been in custody at the jail for less than a week, and had been placed in that specific pod approximately two days prior to the incident. Another inmate housed in the pod said only one person had come into the pod at the time of the overdoses, "so it is not that hard to figure out who provided the fentanyl," the declaration said.
Castoreno's initial appearance took place Thursday morning, March 13. His next court appearance, a preliminary hearing/arraignment, is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 21. He has two additional pending cases involving methamphetamine and fentanyl crimes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
NC deputies save unresponsive puppy with Narcan during drug OD call
WHITEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina deputies recently used Narcan to save a dog from a drug overdose, officials said. The incident happened in the Whiteville area of Columbus County when deputies were called to a home about a man's suspected overdose, according to a Columbus County Sheriff's Office news release. Deputies found the man unconscious but also discovered an 'unresponsive puppy' inside the home the night of May 30, the release said. 'The puppy was given a dose of naloxone (Narcan), a medication used to reverse opioid effects,' deputies said in the release. The man was also given medical help, but deputies said 'criminal charges' are likely. Whiteville Rescue responded to the home and provided more care to the puppy. Crews took the man and the puppy to Columbus Regional Medical Center. The puppy was evaluated by Columbus County Sheriff's Animal Protective Services Officers and then taken to the county shelter. The man was recovering and deputies said the incident is under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Hitchhiker dies after Northern California deputies restrain him, using pepper spray and Taser
A Northern California hitchhiker died Thursday evening after he was restrained by law enforcement officers who zapped him with a Taser, used pepper spray and held him down on his stomach as they struggled to place him under arrest, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office. The confrontation between law enforcement and the 36-year-old hitchhiker occurred in Willits after officers received a complaint that the hitchhiker had 'brutally assaulted' a driver who had picked him up. The incident began around 7:02 p.m. when the California Highway Patrol notified the sheriff's office of an altercation between a driver and the hitchhiker in the 2000 block of Hearst Willits Road. Authorities say the attack on the driver was unprovoked and his injuries required hospitalization. A sheriff's deputy responding to the area encountered the suspect walking in the middle of the roadway. According to the department, the man ignored commands, assumed a fighting stance, and lunged at the deputy, prompting a drawn Taser and repeated attempts at de-escalation. The situation escalated as the man fled into nearby brush. Law enforcement used pepper spray and a Taser after the man resisted arrest and allegedly assaulted a deputy during the struggle to restrain him, the sheriff's office said. Officers from the Willits Police Department arrived to assist, and authorities eventually succeeded in handcuffing the suspect. Shortly after, deputies reported that the man became unresponsive. CPR was initiated and Narcan was administered at the scene. Emergency responders continued life-saving efforts for roughly 30 minutes before the man was pronounced dead. As required under county protocol for in-custody deaths, the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office has taken over the investigation.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Truth Pharm to unveil mural during First Friday event
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Truth Pharm was recently beautified with a new mural, and the community is invited to come and check it out. Truth Pharm recently completed a mural on the exterior of its building at 49 Pine Street in Binghamton. The project was led by Truth Pharm's Arts and Aesthetics Lead and designer of the mural, Mia Hause. The brightly colored image features three figures that represent activism, cross-generational collaboration, and healthy living, as well as flowers and insects native to the local area, representing living in harmony with the environment. Truth Pharm aims to 'build a more just future' with new mural With the help of community members, volunteers, staff, and Rainmakers, the project took around three weeks to complete. The mural was made possible by a $2,000 grant from Ithaca Mural's Thriving Future initiative. The mural will be unveiled during an open house as part of Binghamton's First Friday art walk. From 6 to 10 p.m., those in attendance can check out the mural while enjoying speakers and performers as well as Narcan training and refreshments. Hause will speak about the project as part of a Speakers' Jam at 7:30. Two minors charged for incident with Waverly School Resource Officer Sidney man charged with vehicle arson Attorney General releases body camera footage of trooper-involved shooting in Malta Truth Pharm to unveil mural during First Friday event Scattered showers and storms continue heading into the weekend Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
