Christian Castillo, 20, of Ronkonkoma, was arraigned in Suffolk County Court on eight criminal charges on Wednesday 10 May.
Police began investigating Castillo in April 2022 after learning he was selling counterfeit oxycodone pills, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Undercover police officers messaged him asking for “Bruce,” a common street name for oxycodone. They ended up receiving several pills from him that were labeled identically to oxycodone, according to prosecutors.
The pills later tested positive for fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid nearly 100 times stronger than morphine that has contributed to a spike in overdose deaths across the United States.
Prosecutors said Castillo was not arrested at the time and that Suffolk Police continued to investigate.
In March 2023, police reported a fatal drug overdose to a Lindenhurst home. Police reportedly found 95 blue pressed fentanyl pills inside the home.
Investigators determined the victim had been in contact with Castillo, according to prosecutors.
Suffolk County detectives used the victim’s cell phone to arrange to buy more pills from Castillo. When he arrived at the prearranged meeting point, Castillo attempted to flee in his car, hitting two police cars in the process, prosecutors said.
He then continued driving and hit an officer, throwing the officer off the hood of his car and onto the windshield, according to investigators.
The impact shattered Castillo’s windshield and injured the officer.
Castillo spent the next month on the run before being arrested at a Maurices home.
“This is yet another reminder of the dangers police officers face every day. The defendant allegedly attempted to evade arrest by running over a Suffolk police officer with his vehicle,” District Attorney Raymond Tierney said in a statement said in.
“This, combined with the defendant’s alleged disregard for the safety of others, is evidence of his alleged disregard for the safety of others.”
In court on Wednesday, Castillo was arraigned on the following charges:
- Two counts of 3rd degree criminal sale of a controlled substance (felony)
- Two counts of third-degree unlawful possession of a controlled substance (felony)
- Second Degree Assault (Felony)
- Two counts of 3rd degree criminal mischief (felony)
- Resisting Arrest (Misdemeanor)
After his arraignment, a judge ordered Castillo to hold a $1 million bond.
He is due to appear in court again on Tuesday, June 6.
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