1-09-24 (Update) Police Arrest and Charge Two Inmates Following Overdose Death at HCCC

Hawai‘i Police Department
Area I Criminal Investigation Division
Captain Rio Amon-Wilkins
Phone: (808) 961-2251
Report No.: 24-001196

Media Release (Update#1)

Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged two Kailua-Kona residents with multiple offenses following two suspected fentanyl overdoses at the Hawai‘i Community Correctional Center (HCCC) in Hilo that left one man dead.

The suspects are identified as 41-year-old Izaiah Matthew Shields, and his 37-year-old girlfriend, Moriah Joan Goulette.

At 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2024, Hilo patrol officers responded to HCCC after staff at the facility reported two unresponsive inmates within a cell. Prior to police arrival, both inmates were transported via ambulance to the Hilo Medical Center Emergency Room.

One of the inmates, 56-year-old Steven Mario Delgado, of Pāhoa, was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center at 1:34 p.m. The other inmate, a 33-year-old Hilo man, was treated for drug intoxication and later released.

Area I Criminal Investigation Division personnel responded to HCCC and to the hospital to continue this investigation. Detectives located a white rock-like substance, believed to fentanyl, along with three additional items wrapped in latex, consistent with smuggling contraband/narcotics into the facility, within the cell where the suspected overdoses occurred. A search warrant was written and served on the three items wrapped in latex, resulting in the recovery of 57.03 grams of fentanyl.

Shields was later arrested at the HCCC by Area I Vice Section detectives, and transported to the Hilo Cellblock where an additional 2.24 grams of fentanyl was located on his person.

Following the overdose incident, HCCC personnel performed a search of Goulette, which resulted in the recovery of a clear zip-type packet from her mouth. The packet contained a white powdery substance, which later tested positive as fentanyl. Goulette was also arrested by Area I Vice Section detectives, and transported to the Hilo Cellblock where more fentanyl was located in her pocket. A total of 1 gram of fentanyl was located on Goulette’s person.

Area I Vice detectives continued their investigation and after conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, charged Shields with:

• One count of first-degree promoting prison contraband
• One count of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
• One count third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug

His bail was set at $85,000.

Goulette was charged with:

• One count of first-degree promoting prison contraband
• Two counts third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug

Her bail was set at $45,000.

An autopsy was performed on Delgado and showed no signs of trauma. The final results are pending toxicology results.

This investigation remains on-going.