Arrest warrant issued after Foxboro fentanyl mill suspect skips court | Local News

FOXBORO — The suspect free on bail after his arrest last year in connection to an alleged fentanyl mill found in his apartment has failed to show up for court.

A warrant has been issued in federal court for Stephan Pena, who was free on bail on charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, Foxboro police Lt. Richard Noonan said Wednesday.

Pena, 24, a Miami native living at the Lodge at Foxborough, failed to appear for a pretrial hearing in U.S. District Court in Boston on Oct. 16, a month after a judge denied his request to throw out evidence in the case, according to court records.

During the proceedings, his lawyer, Veronica White of Boston, told the court at the time that Pena had not been in contact with her and that she did not know his whereabouts, according to court records.

In an email to The Sun Chronicle Wednesday, White declined to comment.

Pena was arrested by Foxboro police on Nov. 3, 2017 when they were called to his apartment about a domestic abuse complaint. Police and federal agents subsequently recovered 4 1/2 pounds of alleged fentanyl in the apartment, according to court records.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more powerful than heroin and has been blamed for an increase in fatal overdoses.

Pena was initially held in custody and was subsequently indicted in federal court before he was released in May on $25,000 bond with a GPS bracelet and a condition that he live with his mother in Connecticut, according to court records.

Federal prosecutors had opposed Pena’s release, arguing in court papers that he should be held in custody pending trial.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Winkler argued Pena was a danger to the community because of the large amount of alleged fentanyl found in his apartment. She said he had close ties to the Dominican Republic, including a girlfriend and family.

“The chances he will flee are significant, especially where he faces a 10-year mandatory minimum, was not working at a legitimate job and has little to hold him in the United States,” she argued.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office did not return phone calls or an email for comment about Pena’s failure to appear in court.

Pena, who had no prior criminal record, had pleaded innocent.

David Linton may be reached at 508-236-0338.