A Sonoma County judge on Friday released an Oakland man accused of trafficking fentanyl on the condition that he return to court next month. The decision comes amid controversy after a judicial commissioner overturned the judge’s original $100,000 bail order for the man two weeks earlier.

Judge Troye K. Shaffer had set the man’s bond at $100,000 on Oct. 18 because of the large amount of fentanyl officers said they found in his vehicle and home. But a judicial commissioner (a court-appointed official who handles certain judicial duties in limited cases) later granted the man release without bail on the condition that he return for his arraignment.

Sonoma County Deputy Prosecutor Brian Staebell told The Press Democrat last week that the man’s release without bail was “concerning,” especially because commissioners do not typically intervene in more serious cases.

There were no further explanations during Friday’s court proceedings. But the man, José Valle-Acosta, did appear.

He was assigned a Spanish translator and represented by Deputy Public Defender Angelina Potter.

Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies arrested Valle-Acosta, 24, on Oct. 18 after they stopped him for traffic violations on Napa Road in Sonoma.

Officials said they found a half-pound of fentanyl in his vehicle and then served a search warrant at his Oakland home, discovering another half-pound, as well as other drugs.

He was charged with one felony count of illegal possession of drugs and one felony count of transportation of narcotics for the purpose of sale.

At Friday’s arraignment, prosecutors argued that the amount of fentanyl was indicative of Valle-Acosta’s possible involvement in a larger organization. They also emphasized that the drug, particularly in such large quantities, represents a danger to the community due to its lethal potential.

They argued that the original bail amount, $100,000, would prevent him from returning to the streets and trading more.

“How does $100,000 in cash make us all safer?” Judge Shaffer asked the prosecutor, suggesting that Valle-Acosta could pay the amount and be released without conditions.

“That’s how the rules work,” one of the assistant district attorneys responded, arguing that the amount of fentanyl could kill many people. “It’s a risk to the community.”

However, Potter maintained that his client was not a threat to the community because he had no criminal record and showed up to court Friday without incident, proving he was not a flight risk.

She argued, however, that he could be better monitored using a GPS device and given strict parole rules.

The judge ultimately sided with Potter and granted Valle-Acosta freedom without bail, as long as he wears a GPS monitor and communicates regularly with a probation officer.

The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on December 4.

You can contact staff writer Alana Minkler at 707-526-8531 or [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @alana_minkler.