Two charged in relation to fentanyl overdose death in Coles County

CHARLESTON, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — Two Coles County 20-year-olds have been arrested for charges concerning a drug related homicide.

According to the Charleston Police Department , the charges are in relation to the events of May 26. That day police were sent to the 100 block of 13th Street for a call of an unresponsive male.

Police said the unidentified male then died due to the toxic affects of fentanyl.

Friday, police announced the arrest of Josiah H. Vingara, 20, for “drug-induced homicide” in relation to the incident. Vingara was taken to the Coles County Jail.

Additionally, police arrested Samara R. Johnson for charges of obstructing justice (concealing/destroying evidence).

Johnson was taken to the Coles County Jail and has since been released.

Court records show that Johnson will have a hearing Monday morning regarding the status of the case. Vingara was denied pre-trial release in a June 20 hearing in Coles County.

On July 17, Vingara entered a plea of not guilty to the charges and had a public defender assigned to his case. The Judge found that the continued need for pre-trial detention had been met and ordered him to remain in custody.

A pre-trial hearing for Vingara is scheduled for August 8, with a jury trial scheduled for September 30.

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