Philip Seymour Hoffman’s suspected drug dealer was charged with intent to sell heroin in Manhattan Criminal Court Wednesday as his lawyer said he was being targeted after the actor’s untimely death.
Robert Vineberg was charged with felony possession and intent to sell drugs after the raid of his Mott Street apartment Tuesday night.
“This case against Mr. Vineberg has absolutely nothing to do with the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman,” said Vineberg’s lawyer Edward Kratt,
“I hope the district attorney does not use Mr. Vineberg as a scapegoat for this unfortunate incident.”
Vineberg had more than 250 glassines of heroin in his apartment, according to the criminal complaint.
Cops believe that the jazz musician – who recorded Amy Winehouse — may have sold heroin to the “Capote” actor.
Max Rosenblum and Parsons art student Juliana Luchkiw, both 22, were charged with misdemeanor possession after just two bags of cocaine were found in Luchkiw’s apartment in the Mott Street building.
In an unusual move, the district attorney indicted all three before the criminal arraignment and they were remanded.
“Why is this happening?” said Luchkiw who expected to be released. “I can’t stay here another night!”
Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Felicia Maddin ruled that she couldn’t hear bail applications because the case was indicted and was now the jurisdiction of Manhattan Supreme Court.
Rosenblum’s lawyer blasted the judge’s decision.
“Searching for a scapegoat to solve the overdose of an addict is a fool’s errand,” the lawyer, Daniel Hochheiser, said.
“I can only believe is driven by the media attention.”
Prosecutors dropped charges against Thomas Kushman, 48, who was also arrested in the raid.