The man accused of supplying heroin to community activist Aaron Patterson was ordered held in custody Thursday by a federal magistrate judge who found him to be a danger to the community.
An attorney for Isaiah Kitchen, 55, argued that Kitchen’s heart problems warranted his release, but prosecutors pointed to evidence that Kitchen continued to broker heroin deals with Patterson while hospitalized in June following a heart attack.
A government informant recorded a three-way call on June 17 in which the informant discussed buying three ounces of heroin from Kitchen for $2,900, according to a criminal complaint lodged last week.
On Wednesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Morton Denlow also ordered Patterson, a pardoned Death Row inmate, detained as a danger and flight risk.
Kitchen’s lawyer, Christina Farley, had proposed that Kitchen be released on electronic monitors to the custody of his daughter, Anecia Sneed.
But Denlow noted that Kitchen had been living with the daughter while he allegedly was dealing heroin. Sneed, who owns a beauty shop, denied any knowledge of drug-dealing by her father.
Kitchen takes as many as 10 medications a day and needs a heart transplant, Farley said. She said the Metropolitan Correctional Center, the Loop jail where Kitchen is being held, doesn’t have the medical facilities Kitchen needs.
At the time of his arrest last week, Kitchen complained of chest pains and was hospitalized for several days as a precaution, authorities said.
Kitchen used a walker as deputy marshals led him from the courtroom.
Prosecutors Christopher Niewoehner and Carrie Hamilton said Kitchen’s release wouldn’t even be an issue if it wasn’t for his medical condition. They expressed concern that neither Kitchen’s daughter nor his wife could act as custodian because both hold full-time jobs.
Denlow asked prosecutors to make sure he is receiving the necessary medication in prison.
“I want him to be there for the trial when or if it occurs,” the judge said.
