Two people charged in connection with fentanyl overdose death in Coles County

CHARLESTON, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) – Two 20-year-olds from Coles County have been arrested for a drug-related murder.

According to Charleston police, the charges relate to events on May 26. That day, police were called to the 100 block of 13th Street because a man was unresponsive.

According to police, the unidentified man subsequently died from the toxic effects of fentanyl.

On Friday, police announced the arrest of 20-year-old Josiah H. Vingara on charges of “drug-induced homicide” in connection with the incident. Vingara was taken to the Coles County Jail.

In addition, Samara R. Johnson was arrested by police for obstruction of justice (concealment/destruction of evidence).

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

According to court records, Johnson will have a status hearing Monday morning. Vingara was denied pretrial release at a June 20 hearing in Coles County.

On July 17, Vingara pleaded not guilty and was assigned a public defender. The judge found that pretrial detention was still necessary and ordered that he remain in custody.

A pretrial hearing in the Vingara case is scheduled for August 8, and a jury trial is scheduled for September 30.