BIRMINGHAM, Mich. – The man charged in the fentanyl-overdose death of the grandson of Detroit radio icon J.P. McCarthy was a no-show in court Wednesday, March 27.
Aron Miranda, 24, was charged with delivery of a controlled substance causing death, delivery/manufacturing of a controlled substance less than 50 grams and felony firearm. He was released on bond.
After Wednesday’s no-show, there is now a bench warrant for Miranda.
Authorities said he had been selling drugs on Snapchat, including the fatal pill he reportedly sold 19-year-old Jack McCarthy in 2021. His family said the teen had anxiety and believed he was buying Xanax.
He was found dead in his family’s kitchen. An attorney alleged McCarthy ingested enough fentanyl to kill two people.
His father, Jamie McCarthy, is a successful advertising executive. He has since channeled his grief over the last 30 months into a project called Fentanyl Fathers. The group is comprised of parents who have lost their children and travel to schools across the country to tell kids that if they suffer from anxiety and depression, they need to tell someone, rather than trying to self-medicate.
Read: Father’s grief turns into advocacy: ‘Fentanyl Fathers’ warns about dangers of counterfeit pills
The vast majority of pills sold on social media are counterfeit, many laced with lethal doses of fentanyl.
Miranda is facing multiple felonies including delivery of a controlled substance causing death.
When Birmingham police and Oakland County’s narcotics squad raided Miranda’s home, they reportedly found a bounty of narcotics, firearms and body armor. He was arraigned on March 13 and given a personal bond.
If convicted, Miranda faces possible life in prison.