Oahu Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Fentanyl Distribution Resulting in Death and Assault of U.S. Marshals Officer

HONOLULU – United States Attorney Clare E. Connors announced that Matthew McBraun, 38, of Oahu, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright to 96 months in prison for distributing fentanyl cut with heroin that resulted in an overdose death. McBraun was sentenced to an additional 24 months’ incarceration for assaulting a United States Marshals Service Deputy Security Officer while in custody. McBraun previously pled guilty to the assault, and a federal jury later convicted him of distribution of a controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl with intent to distribute.

“McBraun’s criminal actions wholly support the serious sentenced imposed in this case,” said United States Attorney Connors. “Every day, law enforcement officers put themselves in dangerous situations to keep our community safe. We will continue to prosecute aggressively those who harm our community by distributing illegal narcotics and committing violent crimes, as well as those who harm law enforcement officers carrying out their sworn duties.”

As revealed in Court, in October 2022, McBraun sold fentanyl to an individual, Cory Germain, who was acting as a middleman for the victim. The victim overdosed and died a day later. At trial, investigators testified that drug paraphernalia at the scene of the overdose victim’s death contained a mixture of fentanyl and heroin, and a toxicology report revealed both fentanyl and metabolites of heroin in the victim’s body. Both a medical toxicologist and drug trafficking expert testified that it is extremely common for fentanyl to be cut with heroin. The medical toxicologist further testified that the fentanyl contributed to the victim’s death and the but-for cause of death was fentanyl and heroin.

While incarcerated pending trial on these drug charges, McBraun headbutted a U.S. Deputy Security Officer who was transporting him to the Honolulu Federal Detention Center (“FDC”). According to information provided to the Court, McBraun was upset because the officer braked unexpectedly during the drive. As he was being escorted from the vehicle to FDC, he lunged headfirst at the officer, who sustained injuries to his face as a result.

At sentencing, Judge Seabright imposed a significant upward variance from the advisory Sentencing Guidelines range, finding by a preponderance of the evidence that McBraun’s distribution of fentanyl cut with heroin was both the cause and a contributing factor to the victim’s death. Judge Seabright noted that to ignore McBraun’s role in the victim’s death would be to ignore reality.

Court proceedings confirmed that McBraun’s fentanyl source was Sajib Anas, who in turn received illegal narcotics from Bronson Kepaa. Anas, Kepaa, and Germain all pled guilty to various federal charges. Germain was sentenced in July 2024 to approximately one year in prison. In October 2024, Anas received 85 months in prison. Kepaa was sentenced to 151 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl and 120 months for possessing an unregistered firearm.

The drug investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Honolulu Police Department. The assault investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aislinn Affinito, Michael Nammar, and Mohammad Khatib prosecuted the case.