El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en febrero 15, 2024, James Liu, 30, of Ocean Township, Condado de Monmouth, was charged with Strict Liability Drug Induced Death in connection with the death of a 33 year-old male in Berkeley Township on December 26, 2023.
En diciembre 26, 2023, Officers from the Berkeley Township Police Department responded to a residence for a report of an unresponsive male. A la llegada, Officers discovered the body of the victim – already deceased from an apparent drug overdose. A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Fuerza de ataque antinarcóticos de la oficina del fiscal del condado de Ocean, Oficina de detectives del Departamento de Policía del municipio de Berkeley, Ocean Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, revealed that Liu had supplied Heroin/Fentanyl to the victim. En diciembre 28, 2023, Detectives from the aforementioned agencies established stationary and mobile surveillance on Liu. En esa fecha, Detectives observed Liu operating a motor vehicle in the area of his residence. Detectives effectuated a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle and Liu was taken into custody without incident. As a result of the investigation, Liu was initially charged with Possession of Heroin/Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin/Fentanyl, and Possession of Crack Cocaine, en diciembre 28, 2023. Liu was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court.
Further investigation and toxicology analysis recently received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the victim’s system. Based upon this toxicology analysis, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the fentanyl found in the victim’s system was the cause of his death. Como consecuencia, on February 15, 2024, Liu was charged with Strict Liability Drug Induced Death, y se giró orden de aprehensión en su contra.
En febrero 20, 2024, Liu surrendered himself to Berkeley Township Police Headquarters. Fue transportado a la cárcel del condado de Ocean., donde se encuentra actualmente en espera de una audiencia de detención.
El Fiscal Billhimer reconoce a la Unidad de Delitos Mayores de la Fiscalía del Condado de Ocean, Fuerza de ataque antinarcóticos de la oficina del fiscal del condado de Ocean, Departamento de policía del municipio de Berkeley, Oficina de detectives del Departamento de Policía del municipio de Berkeley, Municipio del océano (Condado de Monmouth) Oficina de detectives del departamento de policía, Fuerza de ataque antinarcóticos de la oficina del fiscal del condado de Monmouth, y la Oficina del Médico Forense del Condado de Ocean, for their combined and collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.
Los cargos mencionados anteriormente son meras acusaciones y se recuerda a la prensa y al público que todos los acusados se presumen inocentes a menos y hasta que se demuestre su culpabilidad más allá de toda duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia..
RPC. 3.6(b)(6).