A southwest suburban man was found guilty by a judge Friday of drug-induced homicide for providing the narcotics that killed another man in 2014.
Circuit Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak also found Benjamin Camunias guilty of delivery of a controlled substance in the death of Peter Kucinski, of Lockport, according to the Will County state’s attorney’s office.
Kucinski suffered a fatal overdose after snorting heroin on Aug. 10, 2014.
Camunias “was instrumental in obtaining and providing the heroin that was delivered to Kucinski,” a statement from prosecutors said.
Camunias drove with Amy Shemberger to Chicago, where they bought a “jab” of heroin — 14 packets — for $100, prosecutors said. “The two divided the heroin before Camunias dropped Shemberger off at her Lockport house, where she gave some to Kucinski.”
“Camunias was accountable for the victim’s death because he drove Shemberger to Chicago and purchased the heroin,” prosecutors said.
Shemberger, who testified against Camunias at the bench trial, also faces charges of drug-induced homicide and delivery of a controlled substance, according to prosecutors. Her case is pending.
Camunias, 28, of the 0-100 block Paladino Drive in Romeoville, faces between six and 30 years in prison when he is sentenced by Judge Bertani-Tomczak on July 22.
“Heroin is an extraordinarily dangerous drug that is killing users of all ages,” state’s attorney James Glasgow said in the statement.
“People must know the consequences of involving themselves in heroin-related drug deals. If you are responsible for a heroin delivery, you are on the hook for any user who dies from an overdose. . . . Benjamin Camunias is learning this lesson the hard way.”
