HONOLULU — A crime leader from Hawaii who passed away while in federal custody earlier this month succumbed to an opioid overdose, as indicated by the statements from Honolulu’s medical examiner.
Michael Miske, who was 50 years old, reportedly died due to “toxicity of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl,” according to the medical examiner’s office. This tragic death appears to be accidental; however, investigations are ongoing, and a definitive autopsy report may take at least 30 days to finalize.
Details concerning how Miske obtained fentanyl or para-fluorofentanyl while at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center remain unclear. Para-fluorofentanyl is known to be a synthetic opioid that often appears in illicit substances and is considered to be even more potent than regular fentanyl.
The Bureau of Prisons has not yet provided a response to inquiries regarding the situation.
Miske was discovered unresponsive in the detention center on December 1. Attempts by staff and emergency medical personnel to revive him were unsuccessful, according to agency reports.
In July, he faced conviction on 13 separate charges, which included racketeering conspiracy, murder in furtherance of racketeering, and kidnapping that resulted in death. Miske was accused of orchestrating several serious crimes, including the kidnapping of a 72-year-old accountant over a debt, releasing a toxic chemical into competitor nightclubs, and being implicated in the murder of a close friend of his deceased son.
As a result of his conviction, the government was granted the right to seize assets worth up to $28 million belonging to Miske, which included properties such as boats, houses, and works of art.
He was due for sentencing on January 30.
Across the nation, the Bureau of Prisons administers a total of 122 federal detention facilities. Recently, it has faced numerous challenges and crises, which include severe cases of sexual misconduct and other criminal activities by staff, as well as chronic understaffing issues, escapes, and several high-profile fatalities.
In August, an inmate, alongside two others, was charged with conspiring to send drugs to a California penitentiary. This incident followed the tragic death of a mailroom supervisor who reportedly died after handling a letter believed to be contaminated with fentanyl and additional dangerous substances.
