ALBANY, NEW YORK - Matthew P. Charo, age 34, of Saratoga Springs, New York, was indicted today and accused of distributing heroin to a woman who died from taking it.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Andrew W. Vale, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Charo has been in jail since Oct. 26, 2015, when he was arrested on a criminal complaint. According to that complaint, on the night of Oct. 2, 2014, Charo provided heroin to a woman identified in the complaint as “K.S.," who took the heroin and was found dead later that night at her home in Saratoga County; the cause of death was acute heroin intoxication.
U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian stated: “Any dose of heroin can kill, and we have seen so many heroin overdose deaths in our communities. Heroin dealers are playing Russian roulette, not only with the lives of their customers, but also with their own fates. Since any dose can kill, any dose could send a heroin dealer to prison for many years."
Special Agent in Charge Andrew W. Vale stated: “Heroin is death. Between 2002 and 2013, the rate of heroin-related deaths nearly quadrupled. This is an epidemic touching every segment of society, and the FBI remains dedicated to pursuing those who seek to poison our communities with drugs."
The charges in the complaint and indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
If convicted of the offense of distributing heroin resulting in death, Charo faces at least 20 years and up to life in prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Hanlon.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
