A Hawaii crime boss, Michael Miske, lost his life in federal custody earlier this month due to an overdose of powerful opioids, the Honolulu medical examiner confirmed on Tuesday. Miske, who was 50 years old, died from “toxicity of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl,” a statement from the medical examiner’s office revealed. While the death appears to have been accidental, investigations are still ongoing, and a full autopsy report is expected in about 30 days.
Questions remain about how Miske, who was being held at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center, managed to access these dangerous substances. Para-fluorofentanyl, one of the drugs involved, is a potent synthetic opioid often found in illegal drugs and is known to be even stronger than fentanyl. The Bureau of Prisons has yet to comment on the situation.
Miske was discovered unresponsive in his cell on December 1. Despite the efforts of detention center staff and emergency responders, he could not be revived. His death came just weeks before his sentencing, which had been scheduled for January 30.
Miske’s criminal record was extensive. In July, he was convicted on 13 charges, including racketeering conspiracy, murder tied to racketeering, and kidnapping that resulted in death. Among the crimes he orchestrated were the kidnapping of a 72-year-old accountant over an unpaid debt, the release of toxic chemicals at rival nightclubs, and the killing of his late son’s best friend.
Following his conviction, the government moved to seize up to $28 million of Miske’s assets, including luxury boats, houses, and valuable artwork.
The Bureau of Prisons, which manages 122 federal detention facilities across the United States, has faced numerous issues in recent years. These range from staff misconduct and chronic understaffing to escapes and high-profile deaths. In one recent case, an inmate and two others were charged in August with attempting to send drugs to a California penitentiary. That incident led to a mailroom supervisor’s death after opening a fentanyl-laced letter.
Miske’s case has left many wondering how such a dangerous substance could find its way into a high-security facility, raising broader concerns about safety and oversight within the federal prison system.
