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BROWNS MILLS MAN INDICTED FOR STRICT LIABILITY DRUG INDUCED DEATH

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on May 4, 2022, William Anderson, 57, of Browns Mills, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on charges of Strict Liability Drug Induced Death in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-9a; Distribution of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Distribution of Fentanyl in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(5); Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of less than One Ounce of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(5); Conspiracy to Distribute less than One-Half Ounce of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); and Conspiracy to Distribute less than One Ounce of Fentanyl in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(5).

 

On February 28, 2019, Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department were summoned to the Pelican Inn for a report of an unresponsive male.  Upon arrival, Officers found a 29-year-old male apparently suffering from a drug overdose.  Officers immediately attempted life-saving measures.  EMS personnel arrived and were able to re-establish a pulse.  The victim was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he ultimately expired on March 2, 2019.

Further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau determined that Anderson had supplied heroin and cocaine to a third party on February 27, 2019, which was ultimately supplied to the victim.  Toxicology analysis later received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the presence of cocaine and fentanyl in the victim’s system.  It was determined through laboratory analysis that the controlled dangerous substances supplied to the victim and distributed by Anderson was, in fact, cocaine and fentanyl – matching the cocaine and fentanyl found in the victim’s system.  Based upon the toxicology analysis, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office opined that the cocaine and fentanyl found in the victim’s system was the cause of his death.  As a consequence, Anderson was charged with Strict Liability Drug Induced Death on August 20, 2021.  On August 24, 2021, Anderson was arrested by Detectives from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and Pemberton Township Police Department.  He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and later released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Lynn Juan who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, and Pemberton Township Police Department, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation resulting in Anderson’s indictment.

The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

R.P.C.  3.6(b)(6).