Man Who Sold Marijuana Gummies That Sickened LI Middle School Students Indicted: DA

MORICHES, NY —A Mastic man, who is also a Guatemalan national, was indicted on charges including third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance after selling narcotics to an undercover officer, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

He was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child, after a separate event where he provided THC gummies that led to the hospitalization of 12 William Floyd Middle School children in March, the DA said.

According to the investigation, on May 5, 2025, and May 12, 2025, Castillo Garcia was accused of selling quantities of cocaine and marijuana to an undercover law enforcement officer, the DA said.

The investigation into Castillo Garcia began after 12 students from William Floyd Middle School were brought to Peconic Bay Medical Center on the same day after falling ill from consuming edible gummies containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the DA said. THC is a compound found in cannabis that is known for causing a high or euphoric effect and is legal to possess in New York State, Tierney said.

Law enforcement traced the source of the gummies to an Instagram account “7k_teddy,” which led investigators to Castillo Garcia, Tierney said.

On Thursday, Castillo Garcia was arraigned before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony Senft, Jr., on charges contained in the indictment including, the DA said, two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, class B felonies; two-counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Class B felonies; one count of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor; and one count of endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor, the DA said.

Justice Senft ordered Castillo Garcia released on his own recognizance during the pendency of the case because his charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail, despite the fact that the defendant is a foreign national "with connections and ability to flee our jurisdiction to evade prosecution," the DA said.

Castillo Garcia is due back in court on September 2 and faces up to nine years in prison if convicted of the top count, the DA said.

He is being represented by Matthew Touhy. "We are trying to find a positive resolution to these charges and I will continue to work with the DA's office to come to the appropriate disposition," Tuohy said.

"This is yet another example of how New York’s bail laws are broken," said Tierney. "We cannot even ask for reasonable security on a foreign national who allegedly provided THC gummies that sickened middle schoolers to ensure he faces justice."

In March, the students were transported to area hospitals after eating marijuana gummies at the William Floyd Middle School, officials said.

After the incident, the school district sought to educate about the dangers.

In a statement to Patch, the William Floyd school district spoke about next steps: "While we cannot discuss student discipline publicly due to privacy laws, we take this matter seriously and there will be appropriate consequences. We will continue to build upon our anti-drug programs and also continue to host grade-level assemblies highlighting the dangers of all drug use, including edible marijuana."

Suffolk County Police Seventh Precinct officers responded to William Floyd Middle School, located at 630 Moriches Middle Island Road in Moriches, at about 10:10 a.m. on March 3 for multiple aided cases, police said.

The students, ages 13 and 14, got sick after taking marijuana gummies, police said.

"This morning, a student at William Floyd Middle School handed out edible THC gummies to students, who have since fallen ill," a statement from the William Floyd Union Free School District said. "The Suffolk County Police Department and local EMTs responded en masse to provide care and assistance, along with our school nurse, to students."

Of the students initially transported to local hospitals for assistance, one was released into the custody of a parent, the district said.

"We are grateful to our first responders for their quick response, thankful that the students will be treated and hopeful that they will recover quickly," the district said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has guidance on its website on how edibles can impact children.

"Edibles, or food and drink products infused with cannabis, have some different risks than smoked cannabis," the CDC said. "The amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or the concentration or strength, is difficult to measure and often unknown or inaccurate as labeled on edible products."

Edibles, or food and drink products infused with cannabis, have some different risks than smoked cannabis, including a greater risk of poisoning, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Unlike smoked cannabis, edibles can, according to the CDC:

• Take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel intoxicating effects, so some people may eat too much, which can lead to poisoning and/or serious injury.
• Cause intoxicating effects that last longer than expected, depending on the amount ingested, whether they are eaten on an empty stomach, or with medications, the CDC said.
• Be unpredictable. The amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or the concentration or strength, is difficult to measure and often unknown or inaccurate as labeled on edible products. Many people who use edibles can be caught off-guard by their strength and long-lasting effects, the CDC said.

Some cannabis edibles have packaging designed to mimic the appearance of well-known branded snacks and candy that appeal to children, the CDC said.

"Children who consume THC-containing products can become very sick," the CDC said. "They may have problems walking or sitting up or may have a hard time breathing. Since adult cannabis use has been legalized in some states, unintentional cannabis poisonings in children have increased, sometimes requiring visits to the emergency room or hospitalization."

The CDC added: "If you use cannabis products, keep them in a locked childproof container and out of the reach and sight of children and pets."