Oakland man arrested on suspicion of possession of 1 pound of suspected fentanyl

A Sonoma County court commissioner’s decision to release without bail a man suspected of trafficking a large amount of fentanyl, even though a judge had set bail at $100,000, raised concerns.

The man was arrested Friday after Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies said they found half a pound of fentanyl in his vehicle after stopping him for traffic violations on Napa Road in Sonoma.

Officers later seized another half-pound along with other illegal drugs at his Oakland home.

According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration, one pound of fentanyl is enough to produce over 226,000 potentially fatal doses, as just 2 milligrams can be fatal.

The man, Jose Valle-Acosta, 24, was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of aggravated possession and transportation of narcotics for sale.

A judge set his bail at $100,000, higher than usual given the large amount of fentanyl, sheriff’s office spokesman Deputy Rob Dillion told The Press Democrat.

However, a court commissioner – a court-appointed official who performs certain judicial duties in limited cases – later granted Valle-Acosta’s release without bail on the condition that he return for his next court date on November 1.

Sonoma County Assistant District Attorney Brian Staebell said Wednesday his office was aware of the case and called Valle-Acosta’s release “disturbing.”

According to the California Department of Corrections, court commissioners generally handle less serious matters such as violations and small claims, but have some discretion in criminal cases.

The reason for the commissioner’s involvement in this crime case is unclear.

Sonoma County Superior Court Executive Assistant Julie Lynn Wilcox told The Press Democrat on Thursday that the court does not comment on ongoing cases. And Presiding Judge Shelly Averill, who oversees Sonoma County court operations, did not respond to a request for comment.

“We spoke to the presiding judge to ask what happened,” Staebell said.

Valle-Acosta has not yet been formally charged as prosecutors said they were still reviewing the case. However, they noted that Valle-Acosta’s release will not influence a decision.

Officers initially stopped Valle-Acosta for traffic violations and discovered a small bag of cocaine in his pocket. He consented to a search of his vehicle, Dillion said, which turned up 13 small bags of suspected cocaine, a half-pound of fentanyl and a digital scale.

Later, drug squad detectives, with assistance from Oakland police, searched the man’s Oakland home, where they said they found another half-pound of suspected fentanyl and other “illegal pills.”

The DA’s office has taken a tough stance on fentanyl-related offenders, and Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez launched a public campaign last fall drawing attention to the dangers of the opioid.

“The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office recognizes the devastating impact that opioid and fentanyl abuse has on our community,” says a website that is part of the office’s campaign.

The website contains links to information about counterfeit fentanyl prescription pills, treatment alternatives and anonymous tip lines for Sonoma County law enforcement.

As part of the outreach effort, billboards had popped up in Sonoma County highlighting the dangers of fentanyl use – “One pill can kill,” some warned.

“A current trend we’re seeing is that the illicit manufacturers of fentanyl are making their pills look like candy — Skittles or Smarties or Sweet Tarts,” Rodriguez previously told The Press Democrat. “And anyone with a phone can order them online without knowing that they contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. It’s frightening.”

Reach Staff Writer Madison Smalstig at madison.smalstig@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @madi.smals.